St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-22

The Secret of a Southern California
Cavern.
How Tramp Succeeded in Unearth-
ing Buried Treasure.

About two and half years since tnere
arrived in the city OF San Luis ObspO a
stranger whose appearance indicated a Sc
we're and prolonged struggle with the tickle
goddess. Out of shock of matted hair
peered two eyes of remarkable sharpness.
and face of wonderful shrewdneSs formed
a rare picture for the framework of tawny
locks. The finances of this rara avis were
doubtless in condition similar to the APP
pearance of his wardrobe. Instead, there
FORE of soliciting entertainment at one of the
numerous hostelries for which the city is ia
nous, this social conundrum wisely con-
cluded to maintain his independence by fol-
lowing strictly the rules of the wandering
| fraternity, of which he appeared a most
exemplary member. He sought the silent
shadows of the outrageous oak, and under
its whispering foliage consumed the sub
stantial provender he had automatically
| Seduced from the back door of convenient
farmhouse. His peculiar appearance and
outer costume created considerable COM
ment among those who observed him, and
many were the surmiSes as to his prevlonS
condition of servitude and present inten-
tions.
He remained in the vicinity of the city
| for several days. and then took up his resi-
dence at Avila, a small hamlet on the sea-
Shore some
NINE MILES FROM SAN LUIS OBIsPO.
| While here the major portion of his time
was spent i'll the examination of old charts
! of the coast line from Point Conception
northward. These documents were kept
in strong leathern pouch, which he
guarded with the utmost vigilance. One
day he appeared at neighboring lumber
yard and purchased sufficient material for
| the construction of small skiff. This, he
informed the curious, was for the purpose
of enabling him to engage in the occupation
of fisherman. The diminutive craft was
soon completed but instead of embarking
in his proposed avocation, he spent the
hours of daylight in exploring the small
bays and indentations of the coast. On
being asked the motives Tor these eX-
ploratiOnS he was more than usually
Teticent. At length he gratiied the Curl
Osty of his inquisitors by informing them
that he was in search of convenient spot
suitable for the location of a fish drying
establishment. This explanation was &C
cepted by many. but the knowing ones re-
garded it as merely subterfuge. At length
the regular disappearance of the stranger
in one certain direction convinced the ob
servant that the desired location had at last
his skitf AS usual, and departed for the
scene of his labors. For several days he
was not seen in any of his haunts, and
those who had watched his regular depart
ure and return grew alarmed. and deter
mined to organize an expedition TO inquire
into the cause of his prolonged absence.
One of the residents of Ayila. however, as
serted that he had seen the stranger beach
his boat regularly every evening several
miles below the accustomed landing place.
1t was also asserted by this gentleman that
the stranger, upon landing, always dlsap'
peared i'll neighbOring canyon bearing
upon his shoulders some apparently heavy
| substance
CONCEALED IN SACK.
This information, while it relieved the
apprehension regarding the safety of the
tramp. aroused the curiosity of many, who
determined to at least pay visit of inspec-
ton to the strangers rendezvous. Prepar-
atoms for the visit were nearly completeG
when the object of their Solicitude made his
temperance among them. After express
! ing his obligations to the citizens OF Avila
| for their uniform kindness to him during
! his sOiOurn among them, the stranger eX-
pressed his determination to desert those
! scenes amid which. he assured them. he
| had passed many pleasant hours. His boat
| he left as souvenir and after courteous
| farewell disappeared over the range. Pre-
vious to his departure, however, he had
bought small Spanish jackass for the
purpose, he informed them, of departing
| from the country in a more genteel manner
than he had entered it.
On the day of his departure one of the
residents OF Avla was returning from San
Luis and encountered the quOndam tramp
| leading his burrO, which appeared to be
ladep with some extremely heavy substance.
| The information rekinded the curiosity of
| the AvilanOs. and party was organized
! for the purpose of exploring the coast line
and discovering. if possible the late resi-
dence of their departed guest. They de-
parted in small boat, and were soon ell
gagged in closely Scrutinizing the inlets of
the coast. At length the attention of one
OF the party was attracted by the appear
ance of numerous footprints in the sand
near the base of an inaccessible cliff. He at
once drew the attention of his companions
| to his discovery. and they determined to
disembark and follow up the clew. Upon
nearing the cliff small circular opening
was observed about three feet FROM the
ground. The footprints led directly to this
opening and there were lost. From this it
was. of course. apparent that an entrance to
| the cavern-if one eXisted-was necessary
to a solution of the mystery. Accordingly,
messenger was dispatched for the purpose
of securing some method of illumination.
He soon returned and the party entered the
aperture. A short passage opened into
A LOFTY CIRCULAR CAVERN,
about eighty feet in diameter. Its internal
appearance was extremely forbidding. and
it was impossible to conceive how any hui
man being could have selected it as
place of abode. The floor was composed
of sand and seashels that had evidently
been recently disturbed. In one corner of
the cavern was discovered a cavity some
three feet in depth, apparently excavated
bat short time before. Among the debris
were discovered several Spanish copper
coins, none of which bore date later than
the year 1850. Near the cavity the frame
work of a seaman's chest in the last stages
of decay was found, and there was also
picked up the widowed pages of a vessels
logbOOk.
These discoveries, as may be imagined,
excited to its intense degree the curiosity of
the explorers. In the midst of an animated
discussion regarding the solution of the
mystery, one Of tile party CHANGED to glance
upward at the overhanging walls, and
there, rudely sculptured in the basalt cell
ing, was the following:
tE tres varas al sur aQui.
FL burque S. Jose
Octubre 20
rinero
By logical deduction from the circum-
stances connected with the discovery of the
-