One language, called the Maya, extended throughout the whole peninsula; and though the Spaniards found the country parcelled into different governments, under various names and having different caciques, hostile to each other, at an earlier period of its history the whole land of Maya was united under one head or supreme lord. This great chief or king had for the seat of his monarchy a very populous city called Mayapan, and had under him many other lords and caciques, who were bound to pay him tribute of cotton clothes, fowls, cacao, and gum or resin for incense; to serve him in wars, and day and night in the temples of the idols, at festivals and ceremonies. These lords, too, had under them cities and many vassals. Becoming proud and ambitious, and unwilling to brook a superior, they rebelled against the power of the supreme lord, united all their forces, and besieged and destroyed the city of Mayapan. This destruction took place in the year of our Lord 1420, about one hundred years, or, according to Herrera, about seventy years, before the arrival of the Spaniards in Yucatan; and, according to the computation of the ages of the Indians, two hundred and seventy years from the foundation of the city. The account of all the details is confused and indistinct; but the existence of a principal city called Mayapan, and its destruction by war at about the time indicated, are mentioned by every historian. This city was occupied by the same race of people who inhabited the country at the time of the conquest, and its site is identified as that which has just been presented to the reader, retaining, through all changes and in its ruins, its ancient name of Mayapan. CHAPTER VII. An Accident.--Journey continued.--Hacienda of Xcanchakan.--An Indian Dance.--Whipping an Indian.--Hacienda of Mucuyche.--A Bath in a Senote.--Hacienda of San Jose.--Arrival at Uxmal.--First Sight of the Ruins.--Changes since last Visit.--House of the Dwarf.--House of the Nuns.--Casa del Gobernador.--Residence at the Ruins.--Unpromising Appearances.--How to make a Fire.--Instance of Perseverance.--Arrival of Luggage on the Backs of Indians.--First Night at Uxmal.