The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-14
TRAVELS In MEXICV,
Wonderful Scenery and Romantic
Mountain Views

resolved on leaving the country to make q
pilgrimage to it, and visit the furnace of
the Volcano.
| was acquainted with haciendado, who
resided near Mecca-Mecca, a village at the
foot of the mountain, who bad often invited
me to his place, and promised all the nee
esssry aid might require in the excursion
proposed TO make TO the crater one
morning a cavslcade OF II left the city Of
the Montezumas, all at,ired in the Mexican
serspe, mounted on fiery steeds, which, be
sides the rider, carried In the holsters of the
saddle a superior pair of revolvers of Ameri
caa manufacture. Our company consisted
mostly OF foreigners, who, slthough having
resided for some time in the country, were
not acquainted with the Spanish language.
My wife and myself had, therefore, to take
the lead, and serve at the same time as in
terpreters. Leaving the city behind US, we
took the calzada of ST. Lazaro. in the dlreeI
ton of the lake of Texoco,s place ceie nrateo
in the history OF the Aziecs, having oeeh' III
the time of the reign OF Montezutha' q 20"
erfu republic with an immense PoPu'a'ion'
for i, il related that this republic furnished
20 ,ba empire 800 900 men for the field.
Oar first halt we made at at a place called
III. Penon, volcanic mount, of some 500
feet in height, composed of red lava, but now
mostly covered with vegetation. W bile
there | visited the celebrated spring, which
did it exist in another country, would be q
source Of wealth to Its owner, while there 1t
is in an abandoned state, scarcely visited By
300 persons during the year, who seek in Its
beneficial waters relief from their bodily
affections. This spring dates from time
lnmemorlsl. Tradition however, says that IN
the last eruption of the Popocstepetl a ifs
sure WAS opened, and the hot water, which
since that time, mas never ceased to boil
burst forth, and has continued without inter
ruption TO TOW until the present day. Hav
ing no barometer with me, could sscertsiu
its heat only By experiment. Throwing an
egg into the spring, 1t was boiled IN the
space of two minutes The sulphulous va
por that emanstes gives evidence
of the quantity of sulphur which il
contains, while its proximity TO the volcano
leads TO the belief that it takes its origin
from the crater itself, and that this latter is
sill in active operation IN the bowels OF the
earth. Having partsken of light meal,
which served Us as breakfast, We mounted
sgain. and continued our Journey.
At 3 o'clock We arrived at Mecca Mecca,
a village which is situated at the foot OF
the Popocotepetl. We installed ourselves
on the Hsciendsdo de la Cruz, where we
were received with all the hospitality SO
generously extended to all Foreigners in
Mexico. Ia this place We commenced already
TO feel the change of climale; accustomed.
especially, as we were to that OF the valley OF
Mexico, which is the most pleasant in the
world, we now felt as il in the month OF
November in the northern part OF the
States.
l.. Il. 1
the first step up the gigantic mountain, to
show view which is unique, ana which
have never seen equaled in any of the
countries which have had occasion TO visit.
srd | believe there is no other spot which
bears comparison TO it in the world
Before US lay the village of Cautta, or
what Is called "Tierra Caliente." The
most luxurious vegetation spread before our
sight fields of sugar cane cover the whole
length and breadth as far as the eye can
reach, while here and there large haciendas
of coffee are shaded BY the beautiful hama
ma tree alleys OF mango trees, laden with
golden fruit oranges, chirimoyos, zapote,
Nancy, the delicious adquacate, the refresh
ing Lapote del Santo Domingo hue these
fields; while the natural flowers, never
cultivated By the hand Of man, but left TO
natures care, creep here and there and
every where through the thick foliage, and
form. as it were, huge bouquets between
these fields. The trunk of each tree is
wound around with the green foliage of an
infinite variety OF orchidea birds OF
varied pluma9e fly from tree to tree in
swarms, filing the cir with the melody OF
their wsrblngs.
But what contrast when you turn your
gaze to the other side of the hill Nea,
and above you is the eternal snow of the
Popocstepetl. and all around you feel the
frosty wind of his death dress of nature.
Here the only vegetation Is the lofty pine
tree, and from time TO time the cold, black
buzzard or "zopilote' mingles its sad, pierc-
ing CRY with the wind that constantly blows
between these pines.
The contrasts between the cold and frosty
north and the sunny south we're so remark
able that | could have stood for hours and
cOntem plated the scene before me bat the
sun was now setting, night WAS spreading
already her Opaque mantle TO cover the
earth, and we all retired to our hospItable
abode
Here we met cheerful fire burning in
the only chimney l ever saw IN the whole
OF the republication here the nights are cold
as in the north and was welcomed by US
all, although at the same time it fore
warned US OF the severity of the cold we
might anticipate during the rest OF our
journey.
Our host arranged the preparations for
the next day, and after partaking of a good
supper, and having enjoyed a good nights
rest we resumed next morning at clock
our Journey. Two mules, with their dr-
vers, provided with provisions for at least
q hours. augmented now cur cavslcade.
while four Indians on foot were given
us Is guides and aid in case of need for
the ascent
In two hours more we arrived at the last
hacienda, where we were Obliged to leave
our horses and prepare ourselves to continue
the ascent per pedes 0postol0rum.
Here we refreshed ourselves with a cup of
the indispensable chocolate con bis cochos"
changed our shoes, and at 10 o'clock com
menced the ascent
At each step vegetation became more
scant, the rocks lay bare, the wind became
more piercing and although the sun was
out in all it's splendor, still We begun to feel
the cold influence of the snowy cover of the
mountain.
At l2 o'clock we reached the last hut, the
last vestige of human life, as well as that Of
vegetation. A goat, not over tat, poor,
lean dog, and an Indian with his wife and
two Children, were the only occupants of this
hut.
Here we halted for short time to gather
strength for the remainder of our journey. as
we would not meet with any shelter except
the crater, and with no vegetation with which
to refresh the sight except that which we
oeheid IN the distance, and that only in
dim and misty future.
Al o'clock the order of command was
gwen, and forward was the word-frst, one
OF the gnidHs-and with renewed strength
we marched along; but, as the saving is
that the last mile ia the lon gest. so il seemed
to us for, although we believed that W.
were concentrating all our strength in our
Walking RpnRraius still the heinht hafo.o -