"patriarchal" condition of life, moreover, as regards family life, "handmaidens" and natural sons, are reminiscent of Biblical story. Nature will not admit too rigid regulations against increase of population in Mexico: Hagar and Ishmael dwell in every hamlet! Just as the religion of the Mexican _peon_ causes him to people his daily surroundings with the presence of the saints, so does his superstitious mind assign supernatural causes to things not easily explained, and bid him see evil spirits and hobgoblins in strange or unfrequented places. Naturally, much of this superstition has come down with the traditions of his Aztec forbears, whose polytheistic religion set up many imaginary gods and spirits. The devil and his attendant hobgoblins are active people in this people's minds. But--happy tribute to the strength of Christianity!--the sign of the cross is potent to banish imaginary fiends on all ordinary occasions. But the _peon_ loves not to journey alone at night, nor to enter dark caves and grottoes where the bones and mummies of dead men are found. Peculiar superstition attaches to the vicinity of buried treasure. Enter into conversation with your _mozo_, or other of the _peones_, in their hours of relaxation, and they will impart strange stories of apparitions drawn from their own or some acquaintance's experience, and--for they are given to romancing--partly from their imagination. As to buried treasure, it is supposed that this is always guarded by a spirit, sometimes good, sometimes evil, and generally that some evil will befall those who meddle with it. In the immediate vicinity of concealed treasure at night, upon the plain, the _peones_ say that a mysterious light is seen hovering over the spot, especially when damp and misty. This light they term a _relacion_; and although they dare not approach it, it serves as a guide to mark the place, which they proceed to dig over when daylight comes--although in some cases they dare not do so, fearing that an evil spirit will draw them in--in the hope of enriching themselves with treasure trove. The same light is said by the Mexican miners to "burn" over the place where a lode of rich metallic ore exists undiscovered, or even within the workings of a mine, sometimes, when a body of rich ore has escaped attention. The truth or falsity of these stories of the _peones_ I must leave to the inclination of the reader. On one occasion I observed a phenomenon of this nature, however. It was a damp, misty night, and I was sitting in my tent after a long day's examination of the hills. "Senor," suddenly exclaimed one of my men, entering the tent, "there is a _relacion_ burning on the plain by the point of the hill!" I started up, willing to observe whatever might be visible, or have the satisfaction of showing them what _tontos_ they were. They conducted me round the spur of the hill close at hand. The sky was dark and frowning, and an eerie feeling took possession--at least of the two _peones_!