On either hand rose the ruins in all their solitary grandeur--palaces, temples, market-places, and houses in endless confusion; while, at the end of the bridge, and running to right and left as far as the eye could reach, was a high wall, constructed of large stones, each one of which would have required the efforts of at least four men to lift it.

These, with a few exceptions, were in an excellent state of preservation.
Passing through the massive gateway the travellers found themselves in an open square, out of which streets branched off the right and left, while the jungle thrust in its inquisitive nose on every possible occasion.

The silence was so impressive that the men found themselves speaking in whispers.

Not a sound was to be heard save the fluttering of birds' wings among the trees, and the obscene chattering of the monkeys among the leaves.

From the first great square the street began gradually to ascend; then another moat was crossed, and the second portion of the city was reached.