Tahquitch Mountain is one of the peaks of the celebrated San Jacinto
range. Its contour is peculiar, and on its summit is a huge rock
known as Tahquitch Rock. The Indians aver that this rock covers the
doorway of the deep cave in which Tahquitch (Devil) dwells. Thither, in
misty legend, was borne centuries ago an Indian maiden of a tribe now
unknown; and to her unwilling company were added later, other beautiful
maidens whom Tahquitch from time to time captured from neighboring
tribes.
A curious rumbling of the mountain occurs in certain of the summer
months; and the Indians believe that this phenomenon is caused by
the violent anger of Tahquitch when his quest for a new bride is
unsuccessful, or by the restlessness of his cave-imprisoned victims.
This legend, especially in recent years, has undergone numerous
changes of form and interpretation, until it is become one of the
most interesting and significant of the many blended fancies of the
red man and the white, which go to make up the unique poetic lore of
California.
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