Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-11

giant trees, which seem to grow out Of the
water, spreading their branches across in
perpetual twilight, their shapes reflected
In the still water as in mirror.
The region of its headwaters is still oc-
cupied by the the aboriginal owners who
are as wild and free to-day as when
Cortez found them. The most that we
can learn of it is that the wonderful
Laguua del Peten lies 500 feet above the
level of the sea, and is about % miles
long by five wide, and so fathoms deep.
In this lake are several islands, the largest
of which-also called Peten-is steep and
lefty. 1t was formerly the central seat Of
the Itzas Indians, after their expulsion
from Itzumal and then from Chichen;
and in the ancient town upon it, now
known as Flores, the skeleton of the all
conquering Spaniard's horse was set up or
worshiped as a god by the sstonished In
dians
The widest rumors are ehoat concern
ing this lovely city, and It is difficult to
distinguish between fact and fancy. Mr..
Stephens says that the cure Of Quiche
ian Irdian town in Guatemala) told him
that he (the cure) had seen it from the
ridge of some high mountains visible from
that place, and that the walls were of
silver, which glistened in the sun with in
conceivable brilliancy. But the Difficult
ties in the way deferred even an intrepid
traveller like Stephens from attempting its
exploration. 1t Is evident, however, that
he believed the story-though possibly
with some grains,ef allowance, fer he sums
zap the result of all his explorations as
follows: conceive it to be not impos-
sibie that withinithis secluded region ex-
lists, at this day, unknown to white men,
a Ering, aboriginal city, occupied by relics
of this ancient race, who still worship in
the temples of their fathers"
1t was forty years ago that Stephens
wrote; but later travellers, some of whom
spent years in the country, believe in the
existence of the mysterious city. Don
Pedro Valesquez, of Guatemala, writes in
Spanish memoir, that the account OF
Stephens and others stimulated two young
men of Baltimore, Nd, to set out on an
expedition for the discovery of this sacred
stronghold. He says that at last they en-
tered the valley which contained the OBJ
ject of their long search-and before them
shone the phantom city, in all the glory
Of its glistening walls and splendid statu-
airy. Entering its precincts, after skir-
mish with the Indians, they beheld its
mysteries. Then, endeavoring to escape
one of them was sacrificed upon the high
altar of the sun, and the other was Sc
badly wounded that he died few days after.
| wards in the forest of Guatemala. Only
| Don Nalesquez and two trusty guides es.
capped to tell the story of their adventure
and though this was thirty-four years ago
no later attempt has been made.
| The eminent archeoioHst. Frederick
Ober, says that when, in 1881, he found
himself on The borders of this country, the
mysterious city took SO strong a hold upon
him that he narrowly missed going alone
in search of it. He made a formal propo.
sition to enter the region and study she
| people inhabiting it; but, unfortunately
scientific authority declined to furnish the
necessary funds. Says the young enthu
siast: Imagine what a stimulant to ar
earnest explorer the possible discovery O
this wonderful city offers 1t would be
well worth year of ones life even to loob
upon its walls, and another year would be
a cheap purchase for glimpse of its in
terror and people"
If it is indeed true that somewhere il
the terra lncognito around Peten, where
aboriginal tribes roam with all the free
dom of their ancestors the "Phantom
City really exists, as described by so many
authorities, IS not the region more worthy
of exploration than the heart of Africa OF
the Polar Sea? To find the key to LOST
arts and manufactures, to discover people
still retaining the rite of sacrifice and all
the customs of their ancient propenitors
should be sufficient incentive. But so fal
alas like the young Baltimoreans-
those who go never return to tell the tale
of their explorations.
FANNIE B. WARD.