Quadrangle, Casa de las Monjas.
Upon taking a final glance at these ruins it seems reasonable to form the conclusion that Uxmal was built exclusively for the purposes of religion. The pyramids and their teocallis or temples were devoted as shrines for the gods, and monasteries were attached to them. The human sacrifices and the ceremonies that were customary in time of war took place in the open courts attached to the high altars of the chief idols.
Upon the last day of my stay at Uxmal, the morning was fine and the sky was clear. In the forenoon I observed that there were dense volumes of light-coloured smoke covering the fields towards the east. As the day advanced the air became hot and oppressive, and the sky was obscured. Upon inquiring the cause of this smoke I was told that the Indians were burning their weeds and stalks in accordance with their custom at that time of the year.
In the afternoon, whilst I was engaged in sketching the south-east angle of the Casa del Gobernador, heavy drops of rain began suddenly to fall. As it was the dry season, this change of weather was unexpected. The rain drops soon ceased, but after an interval there were some slight showers which continued for about two hours. At the farmhouse I was told that such weather was unusual, and that the rain must have been caused by the smoke and heat rising from the fires. If this opinion was correct the change may have been caused by the heated air rising into a cooler region above, and thus producing an atmospherical disturbance.
This fact of rain being produced or caused by human agency supports the opinion that the efforts of the rain-makers amongst the North American Indians were in accordance with some vague knowledge, and were not altogether absurd, and that the action of the Californian rain-maker, whose attempts to obtain rain were successful, was based upon an experience which was practical.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Departure from Uxmal.—Indian officials at Abalá.—Indian Ceremonies.—Worship of demons.—Baptismal customs.—Laws of the Emperor Charles V. for the government of the natives in Yucatan.—Superstitions.—An Indian Well.—Halt at night.—Merida.—Convent of the Conceptionistas.—Sisal.—The Basque brig Aguinaga.—Departure for Cuba and Florida.—Tampa.—Cedar Keys.—Buccaneers.—Shell Mounds.—Ancient Burial Mounds.—Florida Indians.
At sunrise on the day of our departure from Uxmal, the Indians were hurrying along the paths on their way to the corn fields, and the women were engaged in carrying water from the wells. It was a busy scene of life and movement.
We proceeded to Múna and then journeyed onwards to the village of Abalá which we reached in the afternoon, having accomplished a distance of eight leagues. We obtained shelter in a public building called the cabildo, which was used as a travellers’ rest house, where everyone, as in a Turkish or Syrian caravansary, selected whatever spot was available or unoccupied. Anastasio deposited the luggage in a corner and found a place where my hammock could be secured above the ground.
Upon examining my horse I found that it was quite unfit for work, and therefore I went at once to the head man of the district, who was an Indian holding the office of Judge, and was at the time sitting in the Court-house. I asked him if he would give directions that I should be supplied with another horse or mule to carry me to Merida. The Judge at first made some objections and said that there were no horses, or that, if there were any, they were in the fields and would have to be caught. Finally, after a long discussion, the second or junior Judge, who seemed inclined to help me, promised that a horse should be ready at the cabildo on the following day as soon as the sun appeared. Trusting in this arrangement, I discharged Anastasio and sent him back with the old horse to Tzibalché.
In the morning the sun duly appeared but no horse came, and as Anastasio had left at daybreak, I found myself unattended, and surrounded by strange groups of Indians passing through Abalá. It was fortunate that, in accordance with a local regulation, an Indian alguazil was in charge of the cabildo, for this native official immediately informed me that he would attend to my requirements. He was useful in carrying out my wishes, and performed his duties with care and zeal. After waiting for an hour to see if any horse arrived, I went again to the Court-house but found that the Judges were not sitting, and that they were away for the day upon other occupations. On my return to my quarters it was evident that some event had occurred. I was told that a band of muleteers on their way from the interior had halted there, and intended to proceed to Merida later in the day, after their mules had been given rest and food. These men were uncouth and noisy, but I thought it would be wise to join them, if they made no objection. It happened that they had with them a young horse that was not laden. After overcoming some preliminary difficulties, an agreement was made that I should hire the horse, but that he was not to carry any weight except that of the rider; one of their mules was to convey my luggage. As soon as all preparations were completed the leader of the muleteers told me that they would be ready to proceed late in the afternoon and that he would call for me at the cabildo. The men then dispersed.