It was
fortified in a way. That is, a tall, unclimbable palisade of timber
surrounded the entire town, which fence was strengthened by prickly
pears and cacti planted on its either side.
Within this palisade the town was divided into quarters more or less
devoted to various trades. Thus one part of it was called the
Ironsmiths' Quarter; another the Soldiers' Quarter; another the
Quarter of the Land-tillers; another that of the Skin-dressers, and so
on. The king's dwelling and those of his women and dependents were
near the North gate, and in front of these, surrounded by semi-circles
of huts, was a wide space into which cattle could be driven if
necessary. This, however, at the time of our visit, was used as a
market and a drilling ground.
We entered the town, that must in all have contained a great number of
inhabitants, by the South gate, a strong log structure facing a wooded
slope through which ran a road. Just as the sun was setting we marched
to the guest-huts up a central street lined with the population of the
place who had gathered to stare at us.
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