The Litchfield County post., 1827-07-26

nev towards AlliscO the rad leadmgto the east of ihe volcano. and along the edge of an extensive plain covered with rocks of im- mense size and loose stones, which appeared to be pieces of the rock that had perhaps, once occupied the aperture of the present crA- ter. Knowing that the town of TOchimilchO was nearer to the volcano, our adventures determined to proceed to it in order to gain more information with regard to their expe- dition. Governor Olivares, who though the proprietor of the territory upon which the volcano is situated, had never visited it, not only furnished every thing they desired. offer ed to accompany and provide them with guides and servants to carry their varIous instruments, but also gave them the most pressing invitation to his house at Saint CataIine, situated at the foot of that mount ain.
 The succeeding day they avaed themselves of the invitation of the GovernOr-and short ly after their arrival at his plantation, he in- formed them that his occupations would not permit him to ascend with them,h he however furnished them with guide who conducted them through thick copse to the limits of the growth of plnes, which they found to be at the height of 12,541 feet Here they passed the night by the side of large fire wrapt in their cloaks about twelve it rain ed & short time afterwards there fell very heavy frost
 On the goth they determined to reach the summit, and giving their instruments to the servants mounted the mules, and began the ascent, at half past 8 in the morning by the the light of the moon.-In very short time, they passed the bounds of all vegetation and entered upon sand plain covered with loose stones, Tin passing which the mules were so much fatigued that our travellers were Oblig- ed to abandon them and pursue the journey on fOot.1 measure to which they were also inpelled by the sight Of the immense over hanging pfecipices which it would have heen impossible to pass with the mules.
 They therefore ins perseverance of their determination threw their cloaks and two bottles ofwater over their shoulders, and pro- ceeded up the decIivity, making their way with the greatest difficulty over an uneven surface, composed of rocks sand, and pum ice-stone. Desirous ofreaching some preci- pices which appeared to them to extend al most to the desired summit, they pushed for ward with the greatest ardor and for some time with considerable celerity,bu they soon found that the difficulties of the ascent were only beginning so frightful and dangerous was the precipice and so insecure their foot-hold, that though exerting almost supernatural eff forts, they were enabled to make but very little progress, by reason of the sandy nature of the soil and the total want of any brush or shrub by which they might support them selves.
 In addition to these disadvantages, the ex- ertions they were obliged to use and the di- unfinished pressure Ofthe air, caused such ex- cessive fatigue. that they were obliged to rest themselves every fifteen or twenty steps, and after toiling on in this manner for half aAmile, they at length arrived at the locks so ar dently desired where they found their In dans who were waiting for them having as- cended the mountain with more ease and greater speed. At this height the thermom- eter maintained itself at 28 deg. of Fahrenheit (2 deg. below o of Reaumier,) the heavens were perfectly clear; bat dense cloud of vapour enveloped the horizon and prevented them from seeing anything, in the direction oft; at eight in the morning the sun began to appear.
 As soon as they took light breakfast they continued the ascent by means of some large stones, which having rolled from more el- eyated situation, had lodged against each oth- CT, SO as to form row, someWhati Tn the manner of stepping stones but so insecurely and loosely arranged, that they frequently rolled from under the person walking, and went laundering down the sides of the moun- tain. endangering the lives of the persons who might happen to be below, ,and putting in mo- ton numerous rocks similarly situated. The rolling of these stones was source of so much terror to the Indians, that they were ex- tremely desirous of returning, but were pre- vailed upon to continue for some time farther by means of threats and promises they at last, however refused obstMately to proceed in the direction they were takng,as the road became at every step more difficult and haz- ardous. In consequence of this our adven- turers, rerceiving an opening little to the left, determined to attempt the ascent in that part ofthe mountain, but their endeavours to reach it were in vain, the passage being stop ped up with rubbish,a ,and the clouds beginning to envelope that part ofthe mountain in per feet darkness here the Indians stopped, and taking part of the provisions, set off for the place where they had passed the preceding night with the intention of waiting until the rest of the party should descend. The cir cumstance was very much regretted by the travellers as they were not able to carry with them the instruments so necessary for mak- ing astronomical and other observations. They nevertheless determined to continue their design with the intention of marking the different points so as to facilitate any subse- quent attempt.