Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-04-15
Hisreilang,
ORIZABA.

Morphy was an Englishman, and a
friend Of mine. He stood six feet in his
sandals, was muscular as Titan, a crack
shot, and withal most companionable
fellow, Moreover, he spoke Spanish like
a native, and had sweetheart in every
village on the plateau. We had hunted
and fshed together, climbed mountains,
and explored caves. Among other adven-
lures we had assembled the icy cone of
Popocatapetl, and spent two nights in its
sui phurous bosom. Poised like birds in
the air at this far height, the world seemed
at our feet. Just below, the City of Mex
leo nestled among its lakes, and far as eye
could reach mother earth stretched away
in hill and valley, wood and stream
There was bat one point on the horizon
which refused to become insignificant
before us. To the east rival peak shot
skyward, and held its proud head on
level with our Rrie. This was 0rizaba.
The Indians call il Citlaltepetl, which
means the star mountain. The name IS
supposed to have been given on account
Of the peculiar formation of the peak,
causing it to resemble star IN its coniig.
u.at'on, when seen from certain positions
in the east. While this may be true, it is
not difficult for the poetic imagination to
find more satisfactory title to the beau
tiful name Citlaltepetl. Those who know
the mountain in its varying moods have
seen its pale peak turn crimson in the early
dawn, and burn like star They have
seen it catch the last rays of light at sun
set, and hold them like beacon flame
against the sky when all the world below
was shrouded in darkness. The Indians
used 10 worship it. It is pity they do
not do so still. 0rizaba is the most con-
spicuous mountain on the table land Of
Mexico. Although a hundred miles in.
land, it may be distinctly seen in clear
weather from the Gulf, and its white cone
is forever in sight to all the surrounding
country. The sight of this white, defiant
peak, as we stood on the dizzy apex Of
Popocatapetl, excited the warrior instinct
Of my friend. ave must conquer him"
he said. was appalled, at first, for | had
read that the feat was hazardous. Hum
boldt had made the attempt, and failed,
and tradition had it that rocks rolled down
its frozen slopes, and that perpendicular
walls of ice barred the passage OF the ad-
venturer, and shut him out from the en-.
chanted regions above. From the most
reliable records which | have been able
to obtain, learn that about dozen white
men only have been able to reach the top.
NEST point OF this volcano. In height it
is a little above Popocatapetl, both Of
them being about nineteen thousand feet
above the sea; but its sides are sleeper,
and the difficulties of the ascent are inf.
nitely greater. The Indians around its
base, who are splendid feilows-lithe and
active as deer-go up occasionally to
bring down sulphur from the crater; but
even they are loathe to attempt it, and
will not accompany the tourist until sorely
tempted by silver promises. | shared,
however, in my friends enthusiasm, and
we resolved to try it.
II was several months before the project
was put into execution. In the mean
time an officer Of the government had
learned OF our design, and being desirous
Of obtaining certain scientific data regard.
ing the volcano Of Orizaba, requested per-
mission TO send with us trio of young
engineers who would be provided with all
the necessary apparatus for measuring
heights, etc. To this we gladly assented
and the expedition was organized and
under way. Several days were spent in
reaching the base of the mountain and
working our way up through the rocky
de6les which lead to its naked cone.
We were thoroughly equipped for the
climb. Our feet were carefully wrapped in
woolen cloths, and shod with Indian san
dals. We had heavy green glasses and
wells to protect our eyes from the glare Of
the snow, and each man was provided
with strong ironshod oaken staff. In
addition to the members Of our party
five in ALIVE were accompanied by six
Indian guides, the most expert mountain
climbers in the country, and two inexpe
rienced men, one Of whom had accompa.
inied Morphy and me in previous rambles