New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-15

hound. which had taken b 18uCy " Wo >.
Amecameca, and followed me hther. a
few minutes walk through the pine ioles'
in a northerly direction brought me TO the
edge of deep barranca, along the bottom
of which small stream of water was MAKING
it's way rapidly toward the valley below
Although the mist was so thick that cO1i :.
not see a hundred yards in advance, lei'
sure that by following up the barrsncs
could not get Lost, and would, in the course
of time. attain the snow line Of the volcano
which was nv objective point. In less tnan
half an hour l reached the edge OF the pine
forest. which here ends quite abruptly at an
elevation Of II, 800 feet, and entered upon
dresry waste of black sand. In which even
the hardy tufted Alpine grass finds diff
cult foothold. Flooding pereistently upward
through this heavy, wet sand, and stopping
every few steps to take breath, 1T the end Ol
two hours found myself in the midst OF I'M
nense masses Of rock covered with snow and
ice: and. az the wind from time to time parted
thu. clouds above me, could discover only
precipices upon precipices, over w1lcn !.
appeared that no man or other animal couio
possibly make its way; and yet, Is suose
quently learned. 1t was over these very
rocks, which constitute the PicO del Fralle,
that Mr.. Won Gerolt, Baron GrOs and Mr.
Eyerton made their way up to the crater IN
1884. The solemn loneliness OF these upper
regions when envelOped in clouds, with no
eign of even vegetable lite around, and no
sound save that Of the wind signing among
tine rocks and of the dull waterfall in the
barranca must be felt to be appreciated: i
confess it oppressed me. notwithstanding
my effort to take refuge in my faith IN the
omniprecence of an all-wise and loving
Father. Nor was the poor dog that accom-
panied me beyond the reach OF its innu-
ence. but, on the contrary, ceased bis
gambols and, crouching close to my aide,
pleaded with me in whines that could not
be mistaken to leave the dreadful spot. 1t
was but a very little while before l com.
piled with his request and, having quenched
my thirst by eating snow, We both went
bounding down the mountain with giant
strides, not quite sure that We were not
pursued by host of misty spirits, whose
habitations in cloudland We had unc0n-
sciously prOfaned.
Toward evening. greatly to our joy, the
wind SHIFTED to the north, and, lifting the
vapors high above our heads, disclosed the
beautiful valley of Puebla far below us,
and the grand snOw-clad volcano equally
high above US. Our hearts swelled with
emotion as we glanced from the former to
the latter and marked their striking con-
trasts. In the valley human hsbitati0ne,
church spires and fields of waving corn
gave evidence of life-human life in all it's
manifestations. The snow clad mountain,
on the contrary-its head incrusted with
the frosts OF centuries, and its sides the
abode of cold, piercing winds-spoke only
of everlasting death; death without dis
solution, and from which, therefore, there
can be no resurrection.
As it was now quite evident that our op-
portunity was approaching. various pre-
paratlons were begun with reference to
making q start as soon after midnight rs
practicable. The ladies had already before
leaving Amecamea' drawn ON their thick
WOODEN pantaloOns, borrowed from the op-
posite sex or made especially for the coca
sion, ana required only to shorten their
skirts 70 the level Of the knees to complete
this part OF their equipment.
But in addition to this, each one demand
ed a capote with long caudsl appendage
for wrapping around the neck and chin,
and thick mittens to go over the usual
gloves in order to insure the hands from
numbness and consequent inability to hold
securely the Alpine stock, without which it
is impossible to move upon the snow and ice
For tnis purpose stout wooden cloth had
been provided, and no great skill or labor
was necessary to fashion it into requisite
forms. Then the feet Of both gentlemen
and ladies required even more careful
dressing than the hands, an operation
which was contided entirely to the
guides. Boots and shoes were entirely dis
carded; each foot WAS envelOped in several
folds of cloth, firmly confined by many
turns of strong Irvine. and underneath was
fastened broad leathern sandal, rendered
secure against slipping upon the frozen
snow by two or three turns of small rope
passed outside Of the whole. Thus accOu-
tered, and with coiored 9 ectacles in our
pockets, to be used for protecting the eyes
against the dazzling effects of the snow, all
retired early to their respective petates, in
order. if possible, to get little rest prepar.
atOry to the severe labOrs In which we
were about to engage. Precisely at mid.
night we were called by our vigilant and
efficient leader, Mr.. Skilton, who announced
beautiful moonlight night outside. and
the cotfee-pot already on the fire within.
No one needed second CALL and in very
few moments all were grouped around the
blazing fire, presenting q spectacle which
the oddities in dress and figure rendered
ludicrous beyond description. Quitting
this circle of grotesgue objects. and the
sitting smoke in which they we're en-
veloped, I stepped outside of the door
to enjoy the cool, crisp mountain air.
when was greeted by 3 scene Of
grandeur and beauty which sent thrill of
pleasure through every part Of my being.
uC ulSuC d. ClOuuACSos tuC A4OVus 0UOuU
twO-tbirds full, shone with an effulgent
splendor; and the highly rarided stmos-
phere gave distinctness to distant objects
which was truly startling in its first effect.
All around lay the dark pine forest, the
nearer trees standing out in the bright light
like spectre sentinels about the little hut.
Away down in the valley, villages and cul.
tivated fields were sleeping quietly under
the shadow VS. of the distant mountains. Be-
side the quiet valley. and beyond the dim
outline OF the forest, lowered the great vol.
cano. Its broad. black base was lost in the
dark shadows below, but its magnificent
dome of pure white snow, flooded with the
softly brilliant light of the moon, projected
itself in bold relief against the background
of the sky. From its summit a faint col.
uInn of smoke. curling calmly into the
depths above. bore testimony to hidden
fires glowing with warmth beneath the
cold crust of ice by which they are pro.
tected from the winds and storms of the
universe without.
BY ia. NJ. We were all In the saddle, and
following <. silently the guides in single file
beneath the solemn shadows Of the forest,
across the deep barranca heretofore men.
toned, and up the Yong, dreary SLOPE of
heavy black sand which extends quite up to
the snow line. we arrived at the latter point,
much TO the relief OF the Door pant.
ing horse. at $3.50 A. NJ. Here we dis.
and. discarding overcoats. blank.
cts and waterprOofs. grasped our strong
Alpine stocks and began the toilsome
ascent. For little way the crust of the
snow was scarcely firm enough to bear our
weight. and we frequently sank to our
knees; but higher up it was like ice, and, in
order to obtain a foothold, the foremost
guide cut with a spade. fashioned for the
purpose. deep notches In the snow, both for
himself and those who followed after.
As the inclination up which We were
travelling is not less than forty five degrees,
and in some places more. it was, Vt course,
to pursue straight ascending