The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-16
pailp argus.
Monday Evening, Nay 10. 1870
TRAVELS In MEXICO.
Wonderful Scenery and Romantic
Mountain Views.
CONCLUDED.


The area of about a square mile forms
lap or peak OF the Popocatapetl; its broad
field covered with snow with hollow IN the
centre. il all one 1t first behold but the
sigh, bscominy accustomed to what is be
fore IL the entrance to the cratur, with its
irregularities, appears in all its grandeur,
and vet scarcely has the impression taken
effect than it is Immediately superseded BY
awe, the descent presenting itself more fear
ful, more fatigulng, more adventurous than
the ascent up the mountain itself.
The mouth OF the crater covers at leas,
from i've to six acres, and, as far as can be
seen, Is covered on the inside with snow.
No alternative was left to US except "a
descend, for there we were at the top; tc
return was not possible, as night was ALREADY
faillng upon US, and to expose ourselves a
whole night on the top would be almost Ger
tain death
Alter short consultation my wife was
the hrst who led the wav, after the Indian
guide, down to the unknown regions of
Vulcan.
We found the road which led down to the
crater more easily to be trodden than we
expected, and marks OF recent footsteps hau
facilitated our path. In less than twenty
minutes we reached q spacious cave Win
hut made of planks covered with the petate
or the straw mat so generally In use In
Mexico
This hut served the Indian laborers who
are employed in the crater in collecting
sulphur.
Until here and no farther" exclaimed
our diplomat. and we all willingly agreed 10
the proposal. We made preparations to
pass the night and to make ourselves as
comfortable "a possible. Some brush wood
left there BY the laborers served as fuel, and
soon bright FIRE was kndled, and having
warmed and refreshed the inner man with
the provisions so thankfully provided, hilar
ity began once more to show itself upon our
faces, and soon we ceased to regret havinx
ventured on the expedition.
After an hours rest our guides, who had
been provided by our host with a quantity
of torches, lighted the same and invited us
TO follow, which Invitation was not so read
ly accepted, and for one reason and another.
| and the young dttache of the American
legation were alone willing to avail our
selves of the invitation of the Indians. But
there was another voice that had to say
som ething, and that was my wife.
III you go l shall go also; which
means 81 wish you TO stay
Persuasion and reasoning was of no avail,
30 we came to the resolution that | wss to
so snd she to accompany me. An Indian
proceeded before me with a torch. | WAS
the 1rst to follow, after me another guide
then my wife, and then my American friend
and followed by the blessing of our rema
ing friends, We started for the sulp hur cave,
or, as it Is called, "El Banjo del Diablo."
"the Devils Bath"
The rocks over which we had to descend
were here and there already uuged with a
yellow crust, the atmosphere WAS agreeable,
aud having perhaps been separated 500 feet
from the hrst cave, we did not repent OF our
resolution 800 fee. more and We will be al
the end of our journey. More and more the
rocks appeared covered with yellow crust
until when near the principal cave, as vet
explored, no rocks we're yisi BILE. All were
covered with sui phur, the odor of which
began to make US feel uncomfortable vet on
we went t"Veni, Fidi, Wei was our motto.
and we had to carry it out,l first, three of
US, guide again, aud so on, until the last |
but not least OF Importance were the Ind isus /
who carried our provisions on their backs. |
for she mules were left in charge Of the In
dams of the hut We had Just left.
The cir now becoming much lighter. we
could not make rapid progress, especially as /
We we're Obliged to proceed with cautious ,
steps, for our road, II so 1t may be called, |
wound itself between rocks which were not
altogether smooth.
Conversation became less animated for
each ielt the fatigue; our breathing became
oppressed, and altogether it looked like
funeral cortege, for each was occupied with
With himself fearing to lose bis foo,hold and
have rather unweicome summersault.-
70 hrr he g.
snd she was perhaps the only one who en-
couraged the diplomat with cheering words.
and hand bad it not been for her example,
he would most assuredly not have ventured
so far.
One hour or more we were travelling, or
rather, elm bing. when We found ourselves
IL the snowy region, and had it not been for
the warming rays of the sun above US we
could not have proceeded on account of the
cold.
Nothing but snow under our feet. and be-
fore us a wide sheet, on which the sun was
now rejecting it's rays, dazzling our eyes
and compelling US TO keep them continually /.
downcast
How must we have looked TO the be-
holder from below ! Imagine Mexico itself
9 900 feet above the level of the sea, and
this mountain 5000 feet still higher! We,
poor mortal adventurers. elm bling up these
majestic heights of eternal snow, must have
like ants, if anybody could have
been able TO discern Us from below.
Many of my fellow companions regretted,
perhaps. the undertaking, for all were silent,
with cautious tread, fearing to miss their
foothold and take an unpleasant seat in the |
Snow and, while standing thus sudden |
reached US, followed by hearty |
laugh, and, turning around, we perceived |
our friend the diplomat had slipped, and |
was rolling downward but fortunately he |
was caught by one of the Indians who walk |
ed in our rear When picked up and placed |
on terra frma, he said that he had fallen
with intent to break the monotonous silence
that prev .ied In the company, and that
he wished to awaken US from our stupor.
OF course we gave credence to his asser
lion, and, by way of encouragement, nv
wife said it was capital joke, which he
ully supposed was meant In good faith.
One thousand feet we had still before US,
md yet it was clock IN the evening. |
proposed hal, to refresh our fatigued
bodies sip of excellent Cognac gave
new vIpOr TO our frames All at once