The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-25
Interesting Indian Tradition.


Republican, whose interesting legendary coalmuni-
cations we have already noticed furnishes that pa
per with another curious chapter Indian traditions
well worthy preserving.
lively interest if the event had occurred bat
Yesterday allude to the story which refers to the
time when Monte Diablo was an active volcano. But
to the question and to the leg end, merely giving in
the Indians own words the salient points.
Many hundred years ago our ancestors were the
great Mdnitous OF their race /; they governed this
country, and were obeyed by every tribe from the
mountains of the rising to the strand OF the west
ern wave. The coast Of the Big Water was then
chain of unbroken mountains; their burning peaks,
like signal fires, sent forth cheerful light amidst
the gloom OF darkness; and no less grand were
the volumes Of smoke by day as they stretch
ed towards the skylike pillars supporting the
blue vault above, spires ascending from the temple
of the Spirit OF the Earth* Then the interior coun
try was broad expanse Of lakes, islands inets,
lets and channels, stretching like vast net from
north to south. Where the valleys of the Sacrameu
to and San Joaquin and the Bay Of San Francisco
now are, foated the tiny fleet Of canoes, manned by
the powerful arms Of q thousand braves The lake
contained abundance of every variety of fish, and on
its placid bosom rested the balzas ofstalworth fisher
men, who pursued their daily vocation, ignorant Of
the fact that the element from which they then
obtaining subsistence, was hanging over an ocean of
lava. Animals thronged the mountains and valleys;
cities lined the shores OF the lake; all was peace and
happiness. The Kissing serpent, the banefu cent?
pede and the fatal tarantula were not then known;
detested than either Of these detroyedour faith with
his foI ked tongue
In this manner did our ancestors live in peace
and contentment. They had no wars nor conten-
tions-the SasonaS were our friends-Pan.wa-ch che
was their chief. But they became proud and
naughty wealth had taught them tyranny, and
avarce, aided by superstition, had made them can
pibals. Human sacrifices were offered every new
moon, that the Great Spirit of Darkness might not
be angry, but smile on their labors But, contrary
to their anticipatons, the Great Spirit of Light
chastsed them with an awful punishment-frst
with water afterwards with fire. mighty storm
came and sunk all their canoes; the lake overflow
ed its banks carrying off every thing; cities and
towns, with their Inhabitants, were washed away.
Then came noise as if ten Thousand tnunders had
exploded; in moment the lake rushed into the sea;
the sea again receded into the lake; the earth shook
from its CENTRE and from its bowels shot forth, as
high the sum- CLEANS If fire and showers of ashes.
The sun first turned red, then black torrents of
red-bot water (Iava) rushed down the mountains de-
stroying all that lived More than two.thirds of our
people were lost. For three days did the Great
Spirit OF Darkness rule; but the Great Spirit of
Light, who has the power to bind aud whose instru-
ment he is, thought proper not to destroy all our
people, and silenced his thunders Then shone the
sun in all its splendor. What a scene! All was
gone where the beautiful lake was nothing but bar
rem sand remained; in vain did we seek for water
none could be found-after many days search we
came to water; il was salt The mountains Of the
coast bad been rent asunder, our ancient war path
divided, and the Big Water Of the West filed the
crevice, and had formed the bay of Sasona, (San
Francsco.) The lake was indeed gone, but two
large rivers, (Which he represented by holding up
his arms,) flowed gently along to give the Indian
water Life was again restored to the world and
order regaiDed her power The anger Of The Great
Spirit Of Light was appeased, and he granted us a
promise that while yonder mountain burned (pont.
ing in The direction Of Mount Diapo) this country
would not again be destroyed.
Absurd and incomplete as this may appear to be,
vet it is almost encal with the ideas of the Indians
and q a wOrfa
say, when asked If there are no remains of a past
people age TO be found In the valleys Of the coast
"al destroyed on that day which Is nameless," but
which they represent by shutting their eyes, No
other event do they illustrate ia the same manner
Now in California, where SO many natural advan-
tages centered is 1t possible that remains of
cient cities and ar should not exist unless destroyed
by some such casualty In Mexico-Central, North
and South Amer ,a-every day discoveries are made
OF great importance in tracing the history Of an
ante duvian period and race OF people, while here
remains Of art to be found; yet the country and
climate are equally as favorable as Yucatan. The
tribes of Indians are also destitute Of all signs and
symbols Of written or pictorial language, nor are
there to be found any traces OF people superior to
their own. Another reason, all organic remains
have the appearance Of recent formation-the big
tree (srbor viia) to the contrary notwithstanding
And again, amidst this great storehouse OF honey
dew and flowers, there s not 10 be found tie honey
bee: Look abroad on our plains-where are the
buffalo and wild turkey The bird Of America and
the monarch OF the prairies like the king of insects
the honey bee, have not survived that day. which
the lndiau shuts bis eyes upon. believe with many
Others that this whole country has been subject TO
volcanic sctloD Go where you WILL and the piles OF
rocks hurled in every imaginable position, serve
TO prove the heoTy as correct.
The Indians in their simplicity, believe the world TO
be living ,hng being, and tina: these volcanoes
we're bat its body which the Eruption healed
They also believe the to be its bowels and when IL
Il high tide say "tbe world has jus, had its dinner -
Mount Disblo but single peak, OF course much
higher than at present. but what appears be two
distinct mountains but the outer edges OF distin
crater the cavity Of which has been allied By the ncss
ssnt rains OF California winters.