The City of the Sacred Well

The preface describes Edward Herbert Thompson's lifelong quest for archaeological treasures in the ancient, abandoned city of Chi-chen Itza, buried beneath the jungle of Yucatan. A diving account describes complete darkness and a diver reaching out to touch another diver so that their relative locations might be certain and their lines would not become entangled. The divers relied entirely on touch because their lights were useless in the water, and constant use made their fingertips highly sensitive.

The diving account describes a submarine telephone that worked satisfactorily but was less convenient than sending signals with tugs on a rope. The legend of the sacrificial pilgrimage describes dry water-holes in Mani, weeks without rain, withered corn and people perishing of hunger and thirst. The description of Mérida notes wealthy inhabitants' cenotes and artificially hollowed rock chambers where families sought coolness during the heat of the day.