The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-26
CURIOUS ORACLES.
WOrshipcd by u Strange Tribe Of
Mexican Indians.
From Two Republics.

meN1can Indians
From Two Republics.
AS is well known to all who have looked
into the matter carefully-for instance,
such men as Lumholtz, Starr and Soville-
there are in remote parts of Mexico to-day
TO be found portions Of tribes of Indians
who are practically as much given to idol
airy, superstition and wlthcraft as were
their forebears in the vanished years when
the cleaning banner of CASTLE and Aragon
glanced amid the peaks and valleys Of
Mexico, announcing the advent of a strong
er race and more victorious faith.
The other day, while making little trip
over the interoceanic, that runs through
so many picturesque Indian towns, I hap
pened to meet in one of these villages 4
very intelligent Indian, who told me the
following. Whether it is true or not do
not know-'I tell the tale as twas told
to me-" He said that on the northern
slope of Popocatepeti, near the foot, there
is a large cave almost unknown to tha
outside world In this cave lives an old
hite-haired Indian who is the oracle OF
a small tribe of Indians in that vicinity,
whose language is unlike that of any OF
the neighboring towns.
This little tribe has never been conquered
either by the Spaniards or by the chureh'
or by the modern government of the re-
public. The Indians have preserved all
their old customs and traditions until TINS
day, and are practically as they were 4OO
years ago. One of the very curious insh-
tutions among them is that of the oracie'
or seer who dwells in the above mention
ed cave all alone, He is always the Oldest
and wisest man of the tribe. He is looked
upon with the same superstitious reYer-
ence as were the oracles of Dodona ana
Delphos in the boyhood of the world. IN
that cave are preserved rare gems OF cuIl-
ously carved emeTalds such as the greaS
"Malinche," sent home 70 Spain; idols oil
gold and silver and copper and stone,
pearl necklaces from the far off Gun OIL
California, and strange robes of feather
work, of which but very few examples
are know to-day outside the pages %
Sabagun Prescott or Clavigero.
There are also ranged in fitting order ths
ancient gods of this strange people, OF
whom this old man is the highest priest.
Once a month a commission OF the oldest
men of the tribe visits the cave and taxes
with it, in the name of the people, oneflnsS
of fruit and flowers and eatables ana IN
cense in honor of the gods and their ora
Gle.
Upon all affairs of importance to the
tribe this old man is consulted, and ms
judgments are as those of the Medes anu
the Persians
asked whether IT would be possible 20
visit him or not, and was told that no one
not even members of the same tribe oui-
side of the aforementioned comm
sion" had ever seen The inside Of thae
strange and mysterious cave. Ny Inform
ant told me that at "a certain point an per-
sons are stopped by "A guard and told 'nts
they can proceed no further upon pam 81
death And this Is not a tale OF 400 years
ago. but OF to-day.
The tribe and the cave are AZ the norm
eide OF Popocatepeu. ana every satuio.y
In AtlixcO members Of this tribe are ai il0
market 10 buy and sell their simple nee.a
narios OF he. Il Is enough 10 see them ~
realize at once the great difference pe'N' =
them ana the other Mexican indiana 10
are 10 be- seen there ne that time. not oNlg
n their style Of clothing very dnefshh
bat also their Language.