The original settlers of California's San Jacinto Mountains were the Cahuilla Indians. The Indians’ first contact with white men came in 1775 when they met an expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza. One of the legends that the tribespeople tell of those long-gone days before the whites arrived is the tale of Tauquitch, an evil chief who ruled all the people of the San Jacintos.

Tauquitch was tall, good-looking, daring, and clever. At first he governed his people skillfully, but in time he became corrupt. His people grew ever more unhappy, but they feared the chief. Finally a day came when the lovely daughter of one of the lesser chiefs vanished. Not long after, another maiden disappeared and, in time, yet another. All the women of the tribe were frightened, and the braves were angered. Soon all the tribespeople came to believe that Tauquitch was responsible, and an investigation confirmed that the chief had murdered the maidens.

The tribe condemned Tauquitch to death by fire. They seized and bound the evil chief and placed him on the pyre. But as the flames rose around Tauquitch, the people gasped. Even as they watched, the chief's body evaporated and a great ball of fire soared into the air and floated toward the mountains. The people knew then that Tauquitch was a devil who could change shape at will and that he had escaped their justice.

So it was that even after Tauquitch's condemnation, Indian damsels continued to vanish. Eventually, the courageous son of Chief Algoot was murdered by Tauquitch. Algoot determined to avenge his son's death in combat with the evil spirit/monster. Before setting out to confront Tauquitch, Algoot spoke to his people. “I have not asked you to grieve with me,” he said, “to cry or mix your wails and groans with me at the terrible death of my regal son. I do not want to mourn. I wish my heart to burn hot with rage against my son's killer.