[...] The legend that I grew up knowing was that the “fort” had been the ranch of a Mexican or Spaniard named Ramírez, who became immensely wealthy raising sheep. He is supposed to have lived there more than a hundred years ago. Ramírez had a tunnel connecting his house with the creek. One time the Indians surrounded him. After withstanding the siege for days, until he saw that he must leave or starve, he buried his money somewhere within the rock walls and escaped by the tunnel. He was cautious and left in the night, but the next day he was captured, together with his small household, and all were put to death, leaving the place of his hidden thousands a secret.
Some people will tell you that it is useless to hunt for the treasure any longer. They say that fifty years ago Tol McNeill, who owns a fair-sized ranch adjoining the pasture in which the fort is situated, found forty thousand dollars there and with the money bought and stocked his land. But I am sure that hunters for riches around the place are increasing in number. [...]
