PREFACE
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.