Progress and Civilisation

Extract B
The men met some Indians who told Sergeant Carrasco that the ruins were a little further along and gave them a little boy to act as their guide. After leaving the hut, they strolled прогуливаться across some open ground and went into the forest beyond.
„Suddenly, I found myself confronted with the walls of ruined houses built of the finest quality Inca stone work. It was difficult to see them because they were partly covered with trees and moss мох....We scrambled карабкаться along through the dense undergrowth подлесок and then...without any warning, the boy showed me a cave, beautifully lined with the finest stone. Clearly, it was the work of a master artist. It all seemed like an unbelievable dream. It fairly took my breath away. What could this place be? Why had no one given us any idea of it?‟ The little boy persuaded преследовать them to climb up another steep slope.
“Surprise followed surprise in bewildering недоумение succession. We found ourselves standing in front of the ruins of two of the finest and most interesting structures in ancient America. Made of beautiful white granite, the walls contained blocks higher than a man. The sight held me spellbound очарованный. Each building had only three walls and was open on one side. The principal
Temple храм had walls twelve feet high....The building did not look as though it ever had a roof so the sun could be welcomed here by the priests. I could scarcely едва believe my senses as I examined the larger stones and estimated предполагать that they must weigh ten to fifteen tons each.
Would anyone believe what I had found? Fortunately, I had a good camera and the sun was shining.‟…