Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-10-16
Ell PASO DEL INFERNO.
BY DR.. 8. COMPTON SMITH.


On tie road from Monterey to Pesqueira
Granle, and about four leagues from the for
mer place, is the noted Paso del Inferno, or
Pass Of the Evil One. 1t is the northern ter
mination of valley, enclosed by ridges OF
the Sierra Madre which at this point appear
to have been split asunder By some natural
convulsion, expressly for the passage of this
road.
From tn. cobaltic veins Of the mountain,
cropping out into the valley, flows little
trans parent, poisonous stream, which, after
.lsaping playfally- from rock torock, reaches:
the path, which it crosses, and recrosses,
mocking the thirst Of the traveller, and tempt
ing him to drink of its deadly waters.
10 deter him, however, and as caution
not to permit his road beated animals TO i'm
bibe from this poisonous fountain. there is
rudely pictured upon either side Of the cliffs,
/. gigantic representation Of deaths head
and cross bones; such As the careful apothe
cary pastes upon the bottles and packages
containing his deadliest drugs.
At the time passed tue spot, the loose
rocks were thickly planted with wooden
crosses, those Spanish emblems of murder,
telling the traveller that The pass was the ire-
ouent scene of assassination and robbery /;
that crime and violence here lay in wait for
their victims.
Near the poisonous streamlet, and almost
in the path, was one of these CROSSES, already
embrowned by exposure, upon one of the
arms oe which, was nailed by the wrist, a
mans right hand This ioathsome object,
the skin and tendons of which still clung to
the bones, was so contrived as to grasp a
naked dagger, with its blade rusted with the
blood Of some hapless victim or assassination.
Concerning this fearful spectacle, Jose Maria,
the faithful aud intelligent guide, who usually
accompanied me in my wanderings, told the
following tale:
"Don Yecinte Zminez, who lives in the
hacienda we passed just before we entered
the valley, is o rich man, or rather was; but
the greatest treasure he possessed, was his
beautiful daughter, Ia Senorita Ana. She
was the pride of his heart, and many were
the youths-sons of the better class of haci
endadcs. who had:knelt to her loveliness, and
aspired to her hand. Among these was Ped
ro Canales, nephew of General Canalcs
he who six months ago wag the leader of the
guerilleros of New Leon. And Don Vecinte
YOU remember was formerly governor of Mon
terey. But the favored sutor Of the fair Ana
was Jacinto Sanchez, whose father was the
nearest reighbor of Don VICENTE, and whose
hacienda commences half lcaguefrom where
we now are, aud occupies the valley we arr
about to enter Jacinto and Ana had growr
up from childhood together, being in almoS
daily intercourse, and INSTRUCTED by the same
tutors 70 that they had come 20 regard eact
other with the affection of brother and sieter
Bet when, after an absence of four yeers il
Madrid, whittier he bad been TO comp etc LII
studies-ihe young man returned to Bis ma
tive valley, and discovered the developed
beauties OF his former playmate, his boylsl
attachment suddenly assumed the charactc
of stronger and more passionate love. Ana
also. was struck with the favorable change
which Q residence among the polished Madri
amos had wrought in the handsome youth.
"Don Vecinte welcomed the return Of th
young man warmly; and il was scon rumorc'
that he was the accepted lover Gf the fair An
Ziminez.
"All the Senoritas former admirers con
graduated them upon their approaching MAJ
riage, save Pedro Canales, who regarding Il!
happy Jacinto as rival in the affections 0
one, be was vain enough to suppose an
looked upoL him with prefereucc-declare
that the wedding shogld never be consum
mated; and with dogged manner; shunnc
meeting with hisiormer friend.
SAT length the time arrived, when Fathe
Eusehio, the former instructor Of Asa, an
tie venerable chaplain of the hacienda, wa
notified TO be in readiness to celebrate tn
nuptials of the young people.
Great preparations Bere made to sigma
ize the event with hilarlty. a hes,R vas dt
cided upon, to which all the friends OF tn
parties were invited, as well US all those Wit
whom they were acquainted, together wit
the poems and dependents Of the two estate
of Zimiuez and Sanchez.
Among the friends, the discarded Pedr
Capales was not forgotten, and, Us if resre
ting his long continued discuurtesy, the guel
rilla captain intimated his acceptance OF th
invitation; and oil promised happy celebr'
= ton of the wedding festivities.
"Even before the sun had sunk behind th
siesrs, the rancho Ziminez began TO fill wit
the assembling guests, and by the time th
moon flooded tbs valley With her.early beam
the little plaza had become crowded wit
dancers, springihg saily to the lively 'note2
guitars and castanets. ....., - ....-..'
.The happy Ana never appeared SO love
| "a that evening, when arrayed in white, an
her dark ,resses adorned with flowers, she in
+Lo sr-;vel of har loyo