In the midst of the square stood the
teocalli or pyramid of worship, crowned with temples that were garnished
with ropes of skulls, while beyond the pyramid and facing it, was the
palace, the home of Otomie's forefathers, a long, low, and very ancient
building having many courts, and sculptured everywhere with snakes and
grinning gods. Both the palace and the pyramid were cased with a fine
white stone that shone like silver in the sunlight, and contrasted
strangely with the dark-hued houses that were built of lava.
Such was the City of Pines when I saw it first. When I saw it last it
was but a smoking ruin, and now doubtless it is the home of bats and
jackals; now it is 'a court for owls,' now 'the line of confusion is
stretched out upon it and the stones of emptiness fill its streets.'
Passing from the mouth of the gorge we travelled some miles across the
plain, every foot of which was cultivated with corn, maguey or aloe, and
other crops, till we came to one of the four gates of the city. Entering
it we found the flat roofs on either side of the wide street crowded
with hundreds of women and children who threw flowers on us as we
passed, and cried, 'Welcome, princess! Welcome, Otomie, princess of the
Otomie!' And when at length we reached the great square, it seemed as
though all the men in Anahuac were gathered there, and they too took
up the cry of 'Welcome, Otomie, princess of the Otomie!' till the earth
shook with the sound.
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