According to many versions of the tale, the mine is either cursed or protected by mysterious protectors who wish to keep the mine's location a secret. Is the mine real? Is it simply myth? Several historians and authors have noted that even if the story is just that – a story – many parts of the tale have a basis in fact. Waltz never had more than a few gold nuggets at a time, even though rumors flew around that he headed off into the mountains whenever he needed money. It’s possible that even if it did exist, it will never be found, because Waltz hid the entrance so well. Why is the word “protectors” a poor choice in the above passage?