The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-05-12
MOnteZuma'S Treasure.

The following thrilling legend by the
late M. G. Field, we publish, hoping it may
assist the reader in C. numbering time" and
contribute to his or her amusement
Like the abode''or like the spirit itself of
some tabled genii enchanted among the
rocky hills, appears that enormous black
pile known as the mountain of Toas. A
perpetual gloom hangs round it through
day and night. and even when the sun is
brightest it assumes no livelier appearance,
but seems ever to be enveloped in shadows.
When storm gathers, the lofty peak of this
laden clouds roll down its summit The
voice of the storm seems 10 rumble within
its breast, the inhabitants Of the valley peep
from their dwellings at the black mountain.
with fear, curiosity and wonder. From
the valley the snow upon this mountain is
not only visible in the Winter time; in the
middle of August, when crossing few
miles distant, amongst its most Northern
cliffs and cragss we saw the snow, glntering
like molten silver beneath the beams of the
midday sun. The appearance of this truly
gigantic black pile is eminen,ly calculated
TO rivet attention and excite wonder. and
therefore it is not surprising tina, the super
s,ition concerning it should exist among
the slmple-minded people of the valley
Many, very many years ago, it is said the
lofty summit was accessible, but all
who achieved the ascent became lunatics,
and cLuld never tell what they had seen.
This fact spread great alarm among the
people, and the opinion was soon prevalent
that the black mountain was the place
chosen by Montezuma, for his re-appear-
ance. After this no more attempts were
made to scale the summit, which was now
held to be sacred spot. until wealthy
young Spaniard in the city of Mexico laugh
ed at the popular superstition, and declared
that he dared to make the ascent ofthe sa-
cred mountain. He was carousine when
the boast was made, and one of his compa-
MONS proposed him princely wager upon
the adventure, which was accepted, and a
few days after, in spite of the warnings of
priest. the prayers OF his relative, the en-
treaties of his friends, and the earnest per-
suasions of the young men with whom he
had laid the wager, and who now offered 10
relinquish it, the resolute adventurer babe
goodbye to all and started for Santa Fe.
He travelled to Chihuahua, crossed the
prairies and sand-plains that lay between it
and Santa Fe, and arrived at the base of the
| black mountain in I'oas. He told the in,
habitants what he meant to do; and here,
again he was entreated and warned, but in
vain. After resting few days he com.
menced the ascent followed by crowd oI
the most daring spirits of the valley, The
extreme summit of the mountain was reach,
ed by climbing spIintered ,crag, and pro,
ceeded for some distance along the edge oi
q dangerous cleft, which was always filled
!; with snow, and known to be very deep, as
aman once fell into il, and his body never
4 was seen again Here the people paused
4 and the young .Spaniard laughingly pro
i ceeded tp climb the fearful and difficult
4 ascent. With s,,nds slnted resolution and
iron nerves he Toll lnps l sthe lintered pin