San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-05-03
A SPooK RAINBOW.
Desert Indians Alarmed by Strange
Sights on the Mountains.

ClntO, reports the Indians very
much alarmed over the reappear-
ance for the first time in many
years of the singular image of a
rainbow on the snow covering the
southeast side of the mountain.
1t seems that the Cahuillas
have some fragmentary traditions
indicating contact at remote per-
iod with the race that carried its
first civilization into Mexico
and there expanded it into the
elaborate works and complex sys-
tenn of worship that Cortez found.
In their migration the Aztecs left
traces of their belief in the white
God, though if the be1ificent side
of their deity was formerly spoken
of in the Indian legends recOllec-
ton of it has been lost in the CEN
turtles Of repetition by narratOrs
unable to comprehend any but the
severer traits of intelligent beings.
In the tribal lore is curious sig
nificancs attached to the rainbow.
1t is recognized as a sign from a
great spirit, but not, as with us, as
a kindly pledge. In their crude
idea of the white God, he is be-
lieyed to have threatened VEN
geance on the race for an Otfense
that none of the traditions clearly
explain. Rising from the earth
until his glorious head, decorated |
with a crown of brilliantly cOlOred |
feathers curving backward over his
shoulders, shown from behind the
mountain, he told the awe-stricken
people that in punishment he would |
at his own time bring destruction
upon all descendants of those who
had incurred his wrath. There
are said to be vague references to |
intercesSiOn from favored mOrtalS, |
who succeeded in eliciting an I'M
willing promise that until GER
tain event he would withhold his
vengeance. The nature of the
event is lost in the confusion of |
ignorant transmission, but in storm |
the fair God raises his head to look |
at the people whom he wishes to |
destroy, and the rainbow is a |
dim view of his plumage that the
exhibits as a reminder that he has |
not forgotten or forgiven the crime |
of ages ago. 1t was learned FRONT
wise men long in the lost centuries |
then he permits the wind to blow |
the great bright feathers of his |
crown against the mountain and
stain the snow of San JaCintO his |
anger is very great, and that, i'm
patient over delay, he is cOntem-
plating putting the threat into
execution, regardless Of the terms
of his promise.
Within three weeks the great
arch of many cOlOrs was again
formed on the SnOW-cOVered sides
Of the mountain, and the belief of |
the Indians that the wind blew a i
rainbow against the white drifts
and stamped the gaudy phantom
there can not be shaken. 1t isl
disappearing as the snow line re-
Cpdrs, but large segment of it is
Vet plainly visible. Disquiptude
was very sensibly increased
by the Information, received
through their peculiar source
of quick intelligence, of the vol
canic eruption in Mexico, and the
spectacle Of the red and blue shoot
ing star in the western heavens on
Monday night was regarded as 50
pOrtcntiOuS that uneaSinesS has
been intensified. Nothing but the
entire disappearance of the strange
rainbow mirage will rcassure the
SupcrstitiCUS inhabitants of the
reservation. As, however, the
snow is very rapidly changing
its surface under the pres
ent hot sun, the remarkable bow
can not last long. 1t is a matter of
regret that the magnificent specta-
Gle does not present itself Oftener,
or that it is beyond the present
lines Of easy travel. Owing to its
infrequent occurrence and its new
er having been seen by trained
scientific observers, no sufficient
explanation Of the singular phe-
nOmenOn has ever been given, but
the opinion of learned men who
have heard it infinitely de-
scribcd is that meeting of several
currents of wind during a storm
places the snow in drifts at such
angels as to give beholders from
below what may surely be termed
natures grandest work of art.
White men, impclled by curiosity,
and perhaps hoping to find the
tabled pot of gold, have made the
difficult ascent to inspect the great
spector rainbow where it lay, but
upon arrival where they had seen