The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-05-21

w III NuuNI.
The many legends % tho Reals
itrdidos u Encanfddos date back
perhaps a hundred years before the
conquest by the Spaniards. These n.
gcnds are beyond doubt founded on the
enormous wealth the mountain mines
were known 10 contain. Az stories
ever change 10 suit the age, constantly
magnifying. II Is very easy 10 conceive
how these buried mines Of gold and
silver pceping out from the mountain
sides could DO changed TO cities and
haciendas Of wealth untold awaiting
the d~iscovcrer. The more ignorant
miners Of the present day still believe
these stories and legends 70 be true:
hence, with Hasta la mucrfe o la suerfc
firmly resolved in his heart, he works
away with a zeal which could not be
otherwise inspired. II he would depend
more on pluck, ingenuity and modern
mining machinery he would succeed
better than 10 put his whole de-
pendcncc on luck and the delusivc hope
Of finding buried or enchanted cities.
They reason that these towns, like
Pompeii, have been buried in some
great Eruption Of earthquake. and that
treasures untold lie within them. The
more superstitious speak Of them as
being enchanted. and the stories told
by some of the whitc-hcaded Indians
would rival the Arabian Nights. The
Spanish proverb POGO barbd, POGO GER
quenza c. little beard, little shame")
Is frequently applied to the g~arrulous
Indian to discredit any thing he may
say. Surely one would have to be very
crcdulous 10 believe some Of them.
The legends are worthy Of repetition
from their richness in Imagination, If
from no other cause.
Let the reader imagine himself
beneath some wide-spreading tepi-
guage. to avoid the fierce rays Of a
tropical sun with the handicapped
Los Frailcs, III Ccrro Pelon and Qua
guento. looking like carth's gigantic
scntincls. or towers reaching up to the
skies, and a w~hite-haircd Indian guide
relating strange stories Of Reals Peri
dos. and he will have some feelings
similar to the writer's.
My narrator was an old Indian
named Ramirez, whose chief ccupa
ton was guiding tourists and miners
who visit this almost unknown part Of
the world. Ramirez had RECALLED him
self with a drink of pniquc. which is
the favoriie beverage Of Mexico. and
lighted IN antique pipe which seemed
to afford him infinite satisfaction. His
bronzed skin contrasted strangely with
his white jacket and trousers. and i'm
mense sombrero on the ground at his
side. Ramirez was half sitting and
half reclining OF the ground, lazily
watching the donkeys and mustang,
lariattcd a short distance away. Il
don't know that the old rascal ever en-
joyed himself better. while l was In
constant dread lest some wild mountain
brigands. who infest the Sierra Madre
might suddenly appear from some ION
venient chaparral and deprive me Of
the few reals and pcsctas OF silver l
possessed. or take away orr animals
and arms, leaving us helpless in the
mountain wilds. Ramirez seemed 10
have no concern about the wild
m~arauders. and took matters as coolly
as If he had been in the heart Of civiliza-
ton. To my urgent requests to go on.
he answered:
Don't be in too great haste, senor;
we can not reach them before night
fall. Ii is never safe to travel when
the sun is so hot. We viii be able TO
pass the night on the top Of Quagnento.
from which YOU can get a good view Of
the Vermillion Sea-
~ have almost given up the idea Of
exploring the canyons. Ramirez" |
said. for having heard so many stories
Of the wild robbers. / was afraid to
venture too near those dangerous
looking places.
"Why. senor?' asked Ramirez, fix
Ing his great dark eyes on me.
II am afraid Of these mountain rob-
bcrs who Turk in the canyons"
well. sometimes the pronunciados
do Get among these canyons, but we
are more likely to find p~rospectors.
hunting for the Reals Perdidos y Encan-
tados. They are harmless and would
help US" After u moments p;nlse.
with a sigh he continued: II may not
be the one, but whoever he Is. he will
BE- rich" II
What do you mcan?" l asked.
"Whoevcr finds the enchanted towns
will be rich"
Are you so foolish as to believe any
thing of the kind exists?" | asked in
little amazcmcnt-
He opened his Eyes. and for a few
moments never saw such a complete
Of astonIshment and indigna- |
At last removing his pipe the
Aztec said:
II am very sorry senior said that. 1t
that much as may be known Of
countries, nothing is known Of
Mexico. or the history Of the Aztecs. |
The Reals Perdi6os are true"
mining towns may be lost" II
answered. "and doubtless are. They
may be buried beneath land-slidcs. |
earthquakes. and sometime in the
future be dug out; but l greatly fear
that they will never pay for the dlscov-
II found. As to there being en-
chanted towns and cities, inhabited or
lninhabitcd, ! believe that to be wholly
! myth"
Though using the best Mexican at
my command, | am yet in doubt
whether the old Aztec fully understood
He seemed, however, to catch
he drift Of my idea. and rs IL to con-
rincc the most skcptical mind. pro-
to narratc one Of those strange
As | had heard many before,