Bridgeton pioneer., 1886-04-01
A LEGEND OF PERU.


of Peru
Several years ago, we were stationed
near Lima, Peru, the famous walled
city founded by Pizarro as the capital
ofhis vice-regency, and the place where
he was killed | here made the ac-
qualntance of two young Englishmen
who prided themselves on being famous
pedestrians, and on their days of leis-
ure, often accompanied them on their
tramps along the River Rimac and
over the mountains which lay back of
Lima. On one of these excursions, we
explored the ruins of an old city of the
lncas; it lay at the entrance of little
valley, and few hundred yards fur
ther on was rock about the size of
the largest boat-house on Jeddy's Pond
and some twenty feet in height. 1t
was entirely covered with paint and
surrounded by low stone wall. Upon
this big rock were painted such pic
| lures as one often sees in Catholic
countries, such as crosses. a cock
whose growing shamed Peter-the
crown of thorns, hammer and nails,
etc. | was at loss to understand why
these symbols had been placed in this
particular spot, and upon this simple
rock. One of my companions volun-
teered to tell me the old and popular
legend respecting it. After climbing
up the mountain side, we ate our sand
wiches, and while regaling ourselves
with our pipes and in full view of the
great rock and deserted city, my friend
told me the story of ''The Good PADRE
| Once upon a time, shortly after the
| Spaniards had conquered the Incas,
and while they, by harsh task-masters
were driving many Indians to their
death by severe toll in the mines, and
by forcing them to transport, as beasts
of burden, heavy loads across the
mountains, there was one priest, who
! like Las Casas, was always a kind
friend to the Indians, and was greatly
beloved by them. In Peru, where it
does not rain, the fogs are very heavy
and dense, and it SO happened that one
day when this good old man was jour
neying over the mountain with his
| donkey, and had arrived, as he sup
posed, very near the City of Lima
whittier he was going, one of these i'm
penetrable mists suddenly settled down
completely enveloping everything, and
so bewildered the poor Padre that he
lost his way entirely.
His food had long since given out;
he was sick and weary with long travel,
and after vainly endeavoring to find his
way, he gave up all hope and laid him
self down to die. He fell asleep. and,
waking soon after, saw the ruins of
the old city of the Incas, and from it
long procession coming slowly toward
him. AS it drew near he perceived that
it was composed of Indians, at whose
head marched the Virgin Mary. The
latter spoke to him, saying, you have
long been known as kind friend to
the Indians, while almost all of your
race have cruelty abused them and it
is now our intention to aid you, as you
are now in sore need Do not be sur
prised at anything you see or hear,
only remain perfectly still, and all will
be well.'
The procession then returned, with
tinkling of bells and chanting of praises,
to the ruins, where it disappeared.
The Padre sat in stupefied wonder at
what he had seen and heard; soon how
ever, deafening noise startled him,
and casting his eyes toward the mount
ain top, he saw a great rock bounding
from crag to crag @e'"- s''--:. SIDE
of the mountain, and coming directly
toward him. He hastily arose to flee
to spot of safety, but remembering
the command of the Virgin, he stopped
and stood his ground, though with
great fear and trembling. On thunder
ed the big rock, and just at the moment
when he felt sure of beng crushed to
! atoms beneath it, the great mass of
stone suddenly stopped, and in such a.
position as to completely shelter him
from the cold, driving fog. When he
had sufficiently recovered his senses,
he saw fire burning, and upon it fish
and cakes, while near by there was
provender for his donkey. The good
man partook heartily of the food, and
with heartfelt thanks to his kind pre-
server, lay down by the fire and slept
peacefully until morning.
Upon rising he saw the towers of
Lima glistening, not far distant, in the
early morning light, and soon after he
arrived safely in the city and related
his wonderful adventure The devout
Catholics went out to see the rock,
which the priests afterward blessed,
and now on each anniversary of the
delivery of the good Padre, crowds of
believers go out TO hold a Fiesta"