Page:Here and there in Yucatan - miscellanies (IA herethereinyucat00lepl 0).djvu/68

 and MugeresMujeres [sic] there is a firmly rooted belief that "little people" wander around at night; many solemnly protest that they see them, and accuse them of disturbing their slumbers by hammering on benches and shaking their hammocks.

On the east coast of Yucatan there are various places, such as Nisucte and Meco, that any traveler may visit, though he must go armed, and keep a sharp look-out for Indians, who may fall upon him at any minute. There can be seen vestiges of ancient cities, all the houses made of stone, but not large enough for people more than three or three and a half feet high to occupy with any comfort.

In Cozumel Island there exist well-constructed triumphal arches only nine feet high; sanctuaries, and temples of worship, built of carefully hewn stones; the doorway of the largest three feet high, one foot six inches wide. The entire building measures, outside, but nine feet in height, fourteen in length, and twelve in depth. The Indian who accompanied us to them affirmed that he always saw the "little people" at night, but they never spoke to him. He said: "They are very small, and wear big hats. Once, at the entrance of a cave in the forest, I found a clay figure. It was an enchanted dwarf, and he was reading a book. I picked it up to