The Annals of the Cakchiquels | Page 6

cement or mortar, laid by hand, to a
depth of three-fourths of a yard. Close to the brink of the ravine there
are the sumptuous ruins of a magnificent and stately edifice, in length a
hundred measured paces, and in width the same, thus forming a perfect
square, all of stone and mortar, the stone accurately cut with great skill,
polished and nicely adjusted. In front of this building is a great square

plaza, of much dignity and beauty; and on its northern side one can still
recognize and admire the ruins of a palace which, even in its broken
vestiges, reveals a real magnificence. This royal edifice also has in
front of it some squares as large and spacious in their splendor as that
which has already been mentioned. Surrounding this remarkable
structure, are a vast number of foundations, which, according to
tradition, and by what is obvious by examination, were the houses and
dwellings of nobles and of the great number of ahaguaes, besides those
who gave their constant attention to the king. In this quarter or ward of
the nobility, there are several wide and capacious streets, which, as the
foundations indicate, ran from east to west.
"Through the middle of the site of the city, from north to south, runs a
trench a fathom and a half in depth, and its battlements of stones laid in
mortar rise more than half a fathom in height. This trench divided the
city into two parts, leaving the residences of the chiefs and nobles on
the eastern side; those of the common people to the west. The principal
street runs from the entrance of the city to the chief square of the
Temple, which is near the Palace; and from this main street others run
east and west, north and south, branching off from the main street,
having many dwellings upon them well arranged and located, and
displaying the high cultivation of the ancient rulers.
"Another broad street runs close to the main street, from the trench
mentioned, toward the east, for about a quarter of a league, ending at a
small hill which overlooks the town, on whose summit is a circular
wall, not unlike the curb of a well, about a full fathom in height. The
floor within is paved with cement, as the city streets. In the centre is
placed a socle or pedestal of a glittering substance, like glass, but of
what composition is not known.
"This circular structure was the tribunal or consistory of the Cakchiquel
Indians, where not only was public hearing given to causes, but also the
sentences were carried out. Seated around this wall, the judges heard
the pleas and pronounced sentences, in both civil and criminal causes.
After this public decision, however, there remained an appeal for its
revocation or confirmation. Three messengers were chosen as deputies

of the judges, and these went forth from the tribunal to a deep ravine,
north of the Palace, to a small but neatly fitted up chapel or temple,
where was located the oracle of the demon. This was a black and
semi-transparent stone, of a finer grade than that called chay (obsidian).
In its transparency, the demon revealed to them what should be their
final decision. If it was that the sentence should be confirmed, the
accused was immediately executed on the central pedestal mentioned,
which also served as a place of torture. If, on the other hand, nothing
could be seen in the transparency of the stone, the accused was
forthwith discharged. This oracle was also consulted in all their
military undertakings; and war was declared or not, as it seemed to
dictate, as is stated both by Spaniards and the oldest natives. But in the
early days of our occupation, when these facts came to the knowledge
of the Reverend Bishop Don Francisco Marroquin, of glorious memory,
he gave orders that this stone should be artistically squared, and he
consecrated it and used it as an altar stone, and at this day it is so
employed on the grand altar of the convent of San Francisco de Tecpan
goathemala, and it is considered a jewel of unusual beauty and value.
The size of the stone is a full half yard in each direction.
"The principal gate of this stronghold or citadel was upon the causeway
mentioned; and they say it was closed with two doors set in the solid
wall, the external one opening outward, the internal one inward, and
both were of the stone called chay. Thus, one of these doors backed up
against the other, as we sometimes see double doors in our prisons.
They were always guarded with double guards, one within, the other
without, and these guards were changed every seven days. In the open
country, on the other