Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-07-27
Legends Of New Mexico;
OR MONTEZUMA'S TREASURE.
BY NJ. c. FIELD.

S. q
Like the abode, or like the spirit itself
of some tabled genii enchanted among
the rocky hills, appears that enormous
black pile known as themountain ofTaos.
a. perpetual gloom hangs around it, thro'
day as we'll as night, and even when the
sun is. brightest, it assumes no lovelier ap
pearance, but seems ever to be involved
in shadow. When storm gathers, the
lofty peak of this mountain is soon hidden,
and the heavy clouds roll down its dark
sides as though poured forth from crater
at its summit. The voice of the storm
seems to rumble within its breast, and the
inhabitants of the valley peep from their,
dwelling at the black mountain with feair
and curiosity and surprise. From the val.
ley the snow upon this mountain is only
seen in winter, but in the middle ofAu
gust, when crossing high ridge fe W
miles distant, among its more northerly
cliffs and crags. we saw the snow glitter
ing like molten silver, beneath the beams
of the midday sun. The appearance of
this gigantic black pile is eminently cal
culated to excite wonder, and rivet atten.
ton, and therefore, it is not surprising
that the superstition concerning it should
exist among the simple minded people of
the valley.
Many, very many years ago, il is said,
the lofty summit OF this mountain was &C
cessible, but all who achieved the ascent,
Immediately after became lunatics, and
could never tell what they had SEEM
This fact spread great alarm and awe
among the people, and the opinion was
soon entertained that the black mountain
was the spot chosen by Montezuma for
his Temperance. After this no more
attempts were made to scale the summit,
which was now held to lie a hallowed
spot. until wealthy young Spaniard, in
the city of MexIco, laughed at the popu-
lar superstition and declared that TIE dared
make the ascent of the sacred Mountain.
He was carousing when the boast was
made, and one of his companions immedi.
ately proposed him princely wager up
on the adventure, which was accepted,
and few days after, in spite of the warn
lngs OF the priests, the prayers of his rel.
atives, the entreaties of his friends and the
earnest persuasion of the young man with
whom he had laid the wager, and offered
now to relinquish it, the resolute adven-
lurer hade good bye to all and started for
Santa Fe.
He travelledto chihuahua, crossed the
prairies and sand plains that lie between
that and Santa Fe, and arrived at the
base of the black mountain in Taos. He
told the people what he meant to do, and
here again he was warned and entreated,
but in vain. After resting two days he
commenced the ascent, followed by
crowd of the most daring spirits of the
valley. The extreme summit was reach
ed by climbing splintered crag. and pro-
ceeding for some distance along the edge
of a dangerous cleft, which is always fill
ed with snow, but known to be very deep
as man once tell into it and his body
was never recovered. Here the people
paused, and the young man laughing ely
proceeded to climb the fearful and difficult
ascent. With undaunted resolution and
iron nerves he toiled up the splinlered
pinnacle, reached the narrow ledge and
with his small axe, worked holes in the
ice to cling to, he disappeared slowly up
on his hands and knees over the summit
of the mountain. .
He had been gone but few minutes,
when he returned to the sight of the peo-
pie, and called to them to ascend, for he
had disc overed a wonder to astonish the
world-a magnificent cavern, through
which ron inav bouo.; l>Io xo:,e Sc rold IA
Lit into the blaze of day with the glare of
precious stones. The whole interior OF
the mountain, he declared, was one inn
mense cavern, down which, from the en-
trance, ran winding galleries of easy de-
scent, leading to various brilliant apart
ments. He entreated some one to follow
him up and confirm his story, or else,
when he returned, no one would ever be-
lieve bis words. Fs ~ r4esT
Scarcely had this announcement left
the lips of the speaker when whirlwind
came shrieking around the mountain peak
and the young man was seen'to fall upon
his face, and cling to the edge Of the rock |
TO preserve himself from being blown
over the edge ofthe precipice. The ter
rlfed people called 10 him to descend in |
stantly; the Sky darkened, a lhunderbolt |
suddenly struck the pinnacle by which he !
had ascended, which fell with a frightful
roar. into the deep cleft, and his retreat |
was cut of forever. Filled with consier
nation and terror, the people fled away
down the mountain side, abandoning the
wretched victim to his fate, and shutting
their ears against his screams for assis
lance. From rock to rock, and down the
steep ravines--aleng Drinks, beneath
which the headlong torrents roaretl-over
chasms crossed by fallen trees--strug-
gliDgthrough thickets of brush and shrub
by oak, and sometimes tfeading the wa