The Nevada Democrat., 1857-10-14
Legend of the Monte Real.

In the mining districts of Mexico, travellers
are often entertained with the recital of legends
which, although differing in every respect from
those wild traditions attached to the ancient
feudel decaying castles of Europe, are never
theless not devoid of interest.
II is firmly believed by the Mexican miners
that great treasures were hidden during the
invasion of Cortez, and that the secret of their
location, as well as the position Of extensive
and rich pacers, has been handed down from
generation to generation OF the Indian tribes,
and that these secrets are known and kept TO
the present day. The following legend will
illustrate these remarks:
Long before the Mexican revolution, and
whilst the Viceroys of the King of Spain yet
sat in security on the Viceregal throne there
dwelt in an Indian village near the Monte Real,
priest whose kindness of heart and strict at
tention to the duties of his office endeared him
to all ranks and ages of his parishioners. Sim
pie in his habits, and removed by his position
from the more onerous conventionalites of
society, he passed his days in tranquility and
peace
He was very fond of writing, and the Indians
from time to time supplied him with certain
shining dust, which he generally applied to his
ink to perform the duty of sand. AT length
happening to write to an acquaintance in the
city of Mexico, his correspondent, in his answer
congratulated the padre on his success, since,
rs he observed, q man could not but be wealthy
who sanded his writing with gold dust.
This revelation startled the priest. Every
means was employed to induce tho Indians to
disclose their secret, but all to no effect. One
day deputation of his parishioners waited on
the priest padre; said they: "Your children
have for some time noticed your extreme rest
leEsness and anxiety--we love you've are sorry
to see you SO suffer in mind and body. Our
secrets we cannot reveal to you, but for your
sake we are ready to compromise. Blindfodcd
we will conduct you to place where treasures
are hidden; you shall be allowed to return with
as much as you can possibly carry, but remem-
ber, this is the only time we will break those
solemn engagements which only our affection
for you inddeed US to violate for white man."
The priest consented. Blindfolded and con-
veyed on the shoulders Of Indians, he was car
ried into gorge of the mountain, and there
ushered into q cavern. When the bandags was
removed from his eyes, he beheld himself sur
rounded by such countless treasures as at once
confounded his senses and dazzled and siokened
his Imagination. "Now" said his principal
conductor, "load yourself with gold and Jewels
quickly; we will then re-convey you to our vii
lage, and remember that as this is the first so
it will also be the last time we yield to so much
weakness" On his return homewar the Cure
contrived to detach the beads from his rosary,
and to drop them occasionally in the road.
Judge of his chagrin, when, on arriving at his
domicile, young Indian presented him nearly
all his beads. The youth had picked them up,
supposing them to be dropped accidentally.
The demon Of averice entered into the bosom
of the priest. He gave information to the au-
thorities in Mexico-a commission was sent
down-art, menace, the denunciations Of reli.
gion, the cord, the rack, burnings, were resorted
TO- to induce the people to reveal their secret
but all to no purpose. The village was depop-
ulated but the Indians kept their faith.