Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-11
ANOTHER MONTE CRIsro.
The Treasure a Tramp Found in a
California Cavern.
From the ye,O York Star.

stranger whose dppedTauCS IuulcaJeu
seyere and prolonged struggle with the
tickle goddess. Out of shock of matted
hair peered two eyes of remarkable sharp
ness and face of wonderful shrswdness
formed rare picture for the framework
If tawny locke. The finances OF this rara
avis SAYS the San Francisco EXaminer)
were doub tless in condition similar to
the sppearance of his wardrobe. Instead,
Ihereiore, OF soliciting entertainment at
one of the numerous hostelries for which
that city is famous, this social conun-
drum wisely concluded to maintain his
independence by following strictly the
rules of the wandering fraternity, Of
which be appeared a most exemplary
member. He sought the silent shadows
az the outrageous oak and. under its
whispering foliage, consumed the sub
stantial provender he had automatically
seduced from the back door of conve-
nient farm house. His peculiar appear
ance and Outre costume created conside-
rable comment among those who observed
him. and many were the surmises as to
his previous condition of servitude and
uresent Intentions.
He remained in the vicinity of the city
for several days and then took up his
residence at Avila, a small hamlet on the
seashore, some nine miles from San Luis
Obispo. While here the major portion OF
his time was spent in the examination of
old charts OF the coast line, from Point
Conception nOrthward. These documents
we're kept in strong leathern pouch,
which he guarded with the utmost vigil
lance, One day he appeared at a neigh
boring lumber yard and purchased sufi-
oient material for the construction of
small skitf. This, he informed the curious,
was for the purpose of enabling him to en-
gage in the occupation of a fisherman.
The diminutive craft was soon completed,
but instead OF embarking in his proposed
ayocation he spent the hours OF daylight
in exploring the small bays and indenta-
lions of the coast. On being asked the
motives for these explorations he was
more than usually reticent. At length
he gratified the curiosity OF his Inquisit-
ors by informing them that he was in
search of a convenient spot suitable for
the location of a fsh-drying establish
ment. This explanation was accepted by
many, but the knowing ones regarded 1t
as merely subterfuge. At length the
regular disappearance of the stranger in
one certain direction cOnvinc ed the OBJ
servant that the desired location had at
last been selected. One morning he un-
moored his skiff as usual and departed
for the scene OF his labors. For several
DAYS he was not seen in any of his old
haunts, and those who had watched his
regular departure and return grew
alarmed and determined to organize an
expedition to inquire into the cause of his
prolonged absence. One of the residents
Of Avila, however, asserted that he had
seen the stranger beach his boat regularly
every evening several miles below the &C.
custOmed landing place. 1t was also as
serted by this gentleman that the stran-
ger, upon landing, always disappeared
In II neighboring canyon bearing upon his
shoulders some apparently heavy sub
stance concealed in a 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 in
spection to the strangers rendezvous.
Preparations for the visit were nearly
completed when the object OF their solicit
tude made his temperance among them.
Alter expressing his obligations to the
citizens of Avlla for their uniform kind
ness to him during his sojourn among
them, the stranger expressed his deter
mination to desert those scenes amid
which, he assured them, he had passed
many pleasant hours. His boat he left
as a souvenir, and after a courteous fare
we'll disappeared over the range. Previous
to his departure, however, he had bought
small Spanish jackass for the purpose,
ne informed them, OF departing from the
country in more genteel manner than
he had entered it.
On the day of his departure one of the
residents Of Avila was returning from San
Luis and encountered the quondam tramp
leading his burro, which appeared to %
laden with some extremely heavy SUBJ
stance. The Information rekindled the
curiosity of the Avilanes and party was
organized nf ov N n IN
coast line and discovering, if possible, the
late residence of their departed guest.
They departed in small boat and were
soon engaged in closely scrutiniZing the
lnlets of the coast. AT length the atten-
uOn OF one OF the party was attracted by
the appearance OF numerous footprints in
tne sand near the base of an inaccessible
GIN. he at once drew the attention OF
MS companions to his discovery and they
determined to disembark and follow
up the clew. Upon nearing the cliff a
small circular opening was observed
sOout three feet from the ground. The
footprints led directly to this opening and
tnere were lost. From this it was, of
course, apparent that an entrance to the
caVern-lt one eXisted-was necessary to
asolution of the mystery. Accordingly,
AHHSsenger was dispatched for the pur-
pase OF securing some method OF illumin-
AAO SOOu IctuEu6u anu JuS parry
entered the aperture. A short passage
opened 1nUo lofty circular cavern about
Wleet In diameter. Its internal appear
ance was extremely iorbidding and it
was impossible to conceive how any hui
man being could have selected it as a
pace OF abode. The floor was composed
VI sand and seashells that had evidently
Oeen recently disturbed. In one corner
Vi the cavern was discovered a.cavity
sumo tnree feet in depth, apparently ex-
Vd'ated but short time before. Among
tle debris were discovered several Span
sn copper coins, none OF which bore
oale later than the year 1850. Near the
GGAYity the framework OF a seaman's chest
~ Vhe last stages OF decay was found, and
.nere was also picked up the widowed
pages OF a vessels Iogbook.
lhese discoveries, as may be imagined,
sAoited 10 It's most intense degree the Gu
.iosity OF the explorers. In the midst OF
n animated discussion regarding the So
iuuon or the mystery one OF the party
Inahced to glance upward at the over
,nahglng walls. and there. rudely sculp-
lowing:
E%- tras var.s NJ sur arui
Il oSrquo s. jose
Octubre 10
rinero
by logical deduction from the circum-
,Sences connected with the discovery OF
,bs inscription those portions erased by
me aGtlon OF the elements may be supplied
as lollows