ho successfully
resisted the force of the Spanish arms, still find a shelter in its
fastnesses, where they maintain their independence, and preserve and
practice the rites and habits of their ancestors as they existed before
the discovery. Within its depths, far off on some unknown tributary of
the Usumasinta, the popular tradition of Guatemala and Chiapas places
that great aboriginal city, with its white walls shining like silver in
the sun, which the _cure_ of Quiche affirmed to Mr. Stephens he had seen,
with his own eyes, from the tops of the mountains of Quesaltenango."

In Stephens' "Yucatan," Vol II, page 195, are the following lines:

"He (meaning the padre of Quiche, with whom Mr. Stephens was
conversing), was then young, and with much labor climbed to the naked
summit of the Sierra, from which, at a height of ten or twelve thousand
feet, he looked over an immense plain--and saw at a great distance a
large city spread over a great space, and with turrets white and
glittering in the sun. The traditionary account of the Indians of Chajul
is, that no white man has ever reached this city, that the inhabitants
speak the Maya language, are aware that a race of strangers has
conquered the whole country around, and murder any white man who
attempts to enter their territory. They have no coin or other
circulating medium; no horses, cattle, mules, or other domestic animals
except fowls, and the cocks they keep under ground to prevent their
crowing being heard. One look at that city would be worth ten years of
an every-day life. If he (the padre) is right, a place is left where
Indians and an Indian city exist as Cortez and Alvarado found them;
there are living men who can solve the mystery that hangs over the
ruined cities of America; who perhaps can go to Copan and read the
inscriptions on its monuments. No subject more exciting and attractive
presents itself to my mind, and the deep impression will never be
effaced."

CONTENTS.

PAGE.
CHAPTER I.
The Sea Dream. 1

CHAPTER II.
Under Weigh. 8

CHAPTER III.
Nassau. 19

CHAPTER IV.
A New Danger. 29

CHAPTER V.
Fighting the Flames. 39

CHAPTER VI.
The Last Resort. 49

CHAPTER VII.
On Shore. 60

CHAPTER VIII.
Suspense. 71

CHAPTER IX.
Across the Country. 81

CHAPTER X.
A Strange Story