The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-11-05
4 cOco1Z/T GROVE an HHE SxFnD

In II. is proved by the ruined church an a burial
ground one sees couple of miles to the north
of San Mig ell, the principal town. Close by the
church ruins is the site OF ancient village. now
traceable only by its stone foundations.
Whatever the cause may have been II came
about in the course of time that the island OF
Cozumel abandoned as a place of residence.
1t must have remained unoccuped for several
generations, for when Stevens touched there with
the object of exploring its ruined temples OF
which many are known to exist, the entire
face, with the exception of two clearings. was
covered with dense growth of dwarf but thick
timber. Stevens satisfied himself that this forest
covered the whole
One of the open spaces referred to above was
clearing made by named Moas.
torious character. half political refugee, half
pirate, who had been exed from Yucatan. Moas
lived for many years In Cozumel and doubtless
would have died in his bed"-the end most de-
sired by all freebooters, are told-had he
never returned to the mainland. for his enemies
were afraid to attack him in his stronghold. One
fatal day, however. he sailed his schooner across
the channel and landed near to where the Valla-
doid trail comes down to tn beach. Molas'
two sons-Who had voluntarily shared their IA
TIERS exile-accompaned him this trip. hav-
ing IN vain tried to dissuade him from making
it. Moas insisted that his should remain
aboard the schooner until he gave the signal
that all was clear. The signal never came. Wait
ing long for it that they felt all not
we'll the lads went ashore at last to investigate.
The tver-vigilGnt foe had seen Moas' boat max
ing for the mainland. short distance from the
beach. yet hidden by the jungle. they found their
father 8 mutilated body.
The boys returned to the island only to remove
their personal belongings and what they could
carry away OF the family effects and then went
TO live in a remote part of Yucatan, far
moved from Cozunel and It's sad associations
they could get Thus it came about that the
Isle of Swallows" again without b imam in
hahtants
The other clearing mentioned was the deserted
ranch of a certain Don Albino," Stevens calls
him without revealing his surname. Stevens
Don Albno in Valladolid. and heard from the
ranchman's own lips why he left Cozumel. In
Vailadolid a cotton mill-famous in the annals
OF the town as the first to be erected in Mexico
had started operations, and the owner an enter
prsing Slaniard paying high prices for the
material and Offering enticing premiums to
encourage more extensive cultivation of the plant.
Now. Don Albfno possessed no land. had he
the means Nherewith to buy some; nevertheless
he yearret to profit by the mill owners bounty.
so he conceived the idea OF going to Cozu-
mel. which by that time was regarded as sort
OF mo Mans Land to raise cotton He could
easily convey the lint across the channel in
noes. and although from the coast to the mill
was a journey OF several days for pack mules
there would be sufficient margin in the price to
Justify the expense of transportation. Full OF
enthusia su Don Albino gathered around him
many of the destitute natives he could
induce by the lavish of glowing promises to
accompany him and sail for Cozumel.
But the uotley band tired of the monoto
nous life the lonely island They were restless
spirits. who had lived by what really little
short of brigandage, tng the land only to the
extent Of being sure of their staple food, maize
and "friioles" tbeans). Sullen under the crav
ings for the comparative excitement obtainable
in their native pueblos, they before long picked
quarrel with their patron" and. selling the
only canoe returned to Yucatan.