Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1840-04-11

ming 1t should exist among the simple mind
ed people of the valley.
Many, very many years ago, il is said
the lofty summit was accessible, but all who
achieved the ascent Immediately after be
came lunatics, and could never tell wha
they had seen. This fact spread greut
alarm and ave among the people, and the
opinion was soon entertained that the black
mountain was the spot chosen by Monte.
yuma for his Temperance. After this nc
more attempts were made to scale the sum
init, which was now held to be hallowed
and sacred spot, until a wealthy young Spa
niard in the city of Mexico laughed at The
popular superstition, and declared that he
dare make the ascent of the Sacred Noun
tain. He'was carousipg when the boat was
made, and one Of his companions instantly
proposed him a princely wa ger upon the ad-
venture: which was accepted, and few
days after, in spite of the warnings of the
priests, the prayers of his relatives, the en-
treaties of his fIiends, and the earnest per-
suasion Of the young man with whom he
laid the wager, and who now offered to re-
linqnish it, the resoute adventurer bade good
by to all and started for Santa Fe'.
He travelled to chihuahua, crossed the
prairies and sand plains that lie between it
ard Santa Fe', and arrived at the base ofthe
black mountainn Toas, He told The people
what he meant to do, ard here again lie
was warned and entreated, but IN vain.-
After testing two days he commenced the
ascent, followed by crowd of the most da-
ring spirits of the valley. The extreme
summit was reached by climbing n splinter
ed crag, and proceeding for some distance
along the edge of a dangerous cleft, which
Is always filled with snow, but known to be
very deep, as man once fell into ii, and
his body was never recovered. Here the
people paused, and the young Mexican
laughing proceeded to climb the fearful and
difficult ascent. With uitaunted resolu-
tlon and iron nerves, he toiled up the splin-
tered pinnacle, reached the narrow ledge,
and, with his small axe, working holes in
the ice to cling 10, he disappeared slowly
upon his hands and knees over the high
summit of the mountain.
He had been gone but few minutes,
when he returned to the sight Of the people,
and called to them to ascend, for lie had
discovered wonder to astonish the world;
magnificent cavern, through which ran
inexhaustibe veins Of gold, and lit into the
bl1ze ofday withthe glare precious stones.
The whole interior of the mountain, he de-
clared, was one immense cavern, down
which, from the entrance, ran winding gal
Ieries Of easy descent, leading to various
brilliant apartments. He entreated some
one to follow him up and confirm his story,
or when he'returned no one would ever be-
lieve his words.
Scarcely had this announcement left the
| lips of the speaker when whirlwind came
striekng around the mountain peak, and
the young man was seen to fall upon his
face, and cling to the edge Of tho rock to
preserve himself from being blown over the
precipice. The terrified people called to
him to descend instantly; but the sky dark
ened, and n thunder bolt suddenly struck
the pinnacle by which lie had assembled
which fell with frightful roar into the deep
cleft, and his retreat was cut off forever.
Filled with CONSERVATION and terror, the
people fled away down the mountain side,
abandoning the wretched victim to Ills fate,
and shutting their ears against his screams
for assistance. From rock to rock, and
down the steep ravines; along Drinks be-
meath which the headong torrents roared;
over chasms crossed by fallen trees; strug-
Cling through thickets of brush and scrub
by OAK: and sometimes treading the water
courses of the mountain, the awe-stricken
people hurried, until, when night had closed
over peak and plain, they reached the val
ley. The reckless young Mexican was ne