It is noticeable that none of these legends refer to gold and silver
but always to treasure. As I have been able to piece it together, the
legend is this.
In a very early day a Spanish exploring party passed through this
country, going in a northeasterly direction. As was the custom, the
expedition included a large number of monks and priests with all the
holy vessels and rich paraphernalia necessary to administer to the
spiritual needs of the party itself and to convert the heathen Indians
according to the ritual of the Catholic church. Unfortunately the
aborigines proved unfriendly and disputed the way to such an extent
that the ranks of the Spaniards were decimated, and the remnant saw
that they were going to be hard put to it to make an escape. Rather
than have their holy vessels, valuable in a material way, but more
precious spiritually, desecrated by savage touch, they decided to bury
them. In selecting a suitable place for this operation they bore in
mind that it must be stable, above the reach of the mighty river or the
changes made by the hand of man under ordinary conditions; so they
selected a bold promontory on the river, as stated above.
When the treasure was buried, not one, but several rude maps of the
location were undoubtedly made, probably each by a different person.
These maps were in the nature of things ambiguous, and the legends
touching them furnish much food for speculation.