The morning call., 1893-04-15
SPECTER RAINBOW.
Strange Manifestations at
San JaCintO.
The Great Sun Painting on the Snow,
and the Queer Tribal Traditions
Concerning 1t.

Juan Toro, who arrived Thursday even
ing from beyond Mount San Jaeinto, re-
ports the Indians very much alarmed over
the resppearanee for the first time In many
years OF the singular image of rainbow on
the snow covering the southeast side of the
mountain.
1t seems that the Cahuillas have some
fragmentary traditions indicating contact
at remote period with the race that car
rled its rudimentary civilization into Mex
leo and there expanded 1t into the elaborate
works and complex system Of worship that
CorteZ found. In their migration, says the
Redlands Citrograph, the Aztecs left traces
of their belief in the White God, though if
the benificent side of their deity was for
merly spoken OF in the Indian legends recol-
lection of 1t has been lost in the centuries
OF repetition by narrators unable to COM
prehend any but the seVerer traits of in
telligent beings.
In the tribal lore there Is a curious sig
niticance attached to the rainbow. 1t is
recognized as a sign from great spirit. but
not as with US. as kindly pledge In their
crude ideas of the White God he is believed
TO have threatened vengeance on the race
for an offense that none of the traditions
clearly explain. Rising from the earth
until his glorious head, decorated with
crown OF brilliantly colored feathers curv-
Ing backward over his shoulders. shown
from behind the mountain, he told the awe.
stricken people that as punishment he
would at his own time bring destruction
upon all descendants of those who had in.
CURED his wrath. There are said to be
vague references 10 iDtercession from
favored mortals, who succeeded in elicitsng
an unwilling promise that until a certain
event he would withhold his vengeance.
The nature of the event is lost in the con-
fusion of ignorant transmission, but in
storms the fair god raises his head to look
a. the people whom he wishes to destroy,
and the rainbow is dim view Of his plu-
mage that he exhibits rs a reminder that he
has not forgotten or forgiven the crime of
ages ago. 1t was learned from wise men
long in the lost centuries that when he per-
mits the wind to blow the great, bright
feathers OF his crown against the noun tain
and stain the snow of San Jacinto, his anger
is very great, and that, impatient over de-
lay, he Is contemplating putting the threat
into execution regardless of the terms of his
promise.
Within three weeks the great arch of
many coiors was againlformed on the snow
covered sides OF the mountain, and the he
lief OF the Indians that the wind blew a rain
bow against the white drifts and stamped
the gaudy phantom there cannot be, shaken.
1t is disappearing as the snow line recedes.
but large segment Is yet plainly visible
Disauietnde was very senslbly increased by
the information, received through their
peculiar sources of quick intelligence of the
volcanic eruption in Mexico, aud the spectacle
OF the red and blue shooting star in the west
ern heavens on Monday night was regarded
as so portentous that uneasiness has been
intensified. Nothing but the entire dlsap-
peRraDce OF the strange rainbow mirage
Will reassure the superstit.ous inhabitants
ofIthe reservation. As, however, the snow
Is rapidly changing its surfaces under the
present hot sun, the remarkable bow cannot
last long. 1t is a matter of regret that the
magnificent spectacle does not present itself
oftener, or that il is beyond the present
lines of easy travel.
Owing to its infreQuent occurrence and Its
never having been seen by trained scientific
observers no sufficient explanation of the
singular phenomenon has ever been given,
but the opinion of learned men who have
heard II min utely described is that meet
ing OF several currents of wind during
storm places the snow in drifts at such
angles as to give beholders from below
what may surely be termed Natures grand
est work OF art. White men, impelled by
curiosity, and perhaps hoping TO find the
tabled pot of gold, have made the difficult
ascent to inspect the great specter rainbow
where 1t lay, but upon arrival where they
had seen il from the plains found nothing
but the white snow. though far above the
image remained, its gaudy colors un-
dimmed, eurving gradually toward the
peak.