The Arvada enterprise., 1915-10-28

or some 10 years before the Spanish first landed
In Yucatan: but even after the conquest, the Xius
In their new home continued to exercise consid-
cradle authority over the natives. and their
friendly attitude toward the Spanish greatly IA
clltated the final pacifcation OF the country.
The ruins of Uxmal are best reached today by
stage from the little town of Muna the nearest
railroad station. ten mile drive from the latter
place brings one to the hacienda of Uxmal, from
which the ruins about mile and a half
distant The first view of the ancient city Is to
be had from the top OF hill Just behind the
plantation house. Across the plain dozen
more imposing structures OF whpe limestone may
be seen rising above the dense vegetation which
here cnshrouds the countryside. Beyond In the
distance, n ragged chain of low mountains cuts
across the horizon. each succeeding ridge .
deeper blue. But does not dwell long on the
beauties OF nature ut uxmal: the habitations OF
bygone race claim the attention Descending
the hill again, one takes the road which leads
through the bush, The distant temples and pal
aces sink below the tree tops and for aught that
one sees of them they might as well be on the
other side OF the world After half hours walk.
during which the ruins never once rcappcar. tho
road suddenly makes n sharp turn to the right
and just In front of one, apparently blocking the
way. there rises lofty pyramid the highcs,
structure In the city
The splendid temple surrounding this. gro
tosquely called the House OF the Dwarf or Ma.
gician, probably was the chief sanctuary OF Tx.
NAL The pyramid on which II stands is over so
feet high and covers nearly an acre OF ground
The summit is reached by a steep stairway on its
east and apparently back side. The temple
however, faces in the opposite direction, or TO.
ward the Monjas quadrangle, an adjacent group
OF structures, with which, as we presently shall
see. II was closely connected Clear down into
Spanish times, long after UXmai had been aban
doncd by her native rulers, this temple was held
In particular ycncration bs the Indians About
century after the conqucn,, Father Cogolludo.
provincial OF Yucntan. visited USmal and climbed
to the summit OF this pyramid lie found there
he says In one OF the apartments offerings OF
cacao and the remains OF copal, burned but q
short time before, This he thought Indicated
that some superstition dolatry had been com
mittod here recently by tho Indians OF the local
lily. And again, slightly later In 1913 u petition
addressed to the king OF Spain says:
THAT the Indians IN those places ,uxmnD are
worshpng the devil In the ancient buildings
which are there. having In them their idols. to
which they burn copal and perform other dc.
tcstabc sacrifices"
Long after the conquest no doubt. the natives
continued to practice In secret their ancient rites
and ceremonies. particularly II those places
Il was to some such survvals o, the ancient
probably refer,
Tho Monjas quadrangle, mentioned above As
being adjacent to the House OF tho Dwarf H. in
fact separated from II only by a small court Tho
four low. massive buildings. OF which Il 10 com
posed. are built around the sides OF . square,
and. with the exception OF tho house on the south