San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-02-24

scarcely see each others heads. Here
we had been told the robber bands
would be waiting for us, but we pass
ed in safety.
We next reached a region Of pines
entirely, and the ascent became very
steep. Unfortunately for us our guide
could not speak word of English,
and we therefore lost much valuable
information, At about 8 o'clock We
reached a rude cabin at the termina-
ton of vegetation and the region Of
eternal snow. They bring the sui
phur from the crater on sledges to
this point, and from here carry it on
mules to the city. We were at an ele-
vation of about $4,000 feet, and after
u good dinner we proceeded to view
the scenery. 1t was truly sublime.
The elevation was more than twice rs
great as Mount Washington, while the
summit still raised its snow white
head above us to a height nearly
equal to the highest peak of the White
Mountains.
Night came on, and as we spread
our blankets for the night around the
fire at the line of perpetual winter
our feelings were strange indeed. 1t
was bright moonlight night long to
be remembered, and the sky seemed
one vast mass ofstars. We intended
to make an early start, but our guides
devoted their time to our preparation
and in spite of our efforts it was not
until day was dawning that we were
in the saddle on the morning of the
9Th. We intended to goas far as pos
sible on horseback, but had not pro
ceeded far when we came to fearful
ravine. We then knew why the guides
would not start before daylight. We
passed it safely, and though the snow
here became quite deep, up we went
until at length the guides informed
lis by signs that the horses could go
no further. The guide in charge OF
the beasts turned back and we struck
out on foot, the other guides taking
the lead. The ascent by this time
had become very steep, and only by
zigzag movements could eget along.
The wind, too, was blowing gale di-
rectly in our faces, and occasionally
the sulphur and smoke from the era
ter would be so strong that we could
scarcely get our breath. AT length
we reached high rock upon which
there was cross, but who placed it
there, why, or for what, we could not
learn, We We're now within 1000
feet OF the summit. My friend Haines
said he could go no further, and de-
clared it impossible to reach the sum
nit. One guide returned with him,
while the other three remained with
me; and never shall 1 forget those
faithful Indians. With the aid OF
rope, with two Ipdians ahead and one
behind, I toiled on.
The ascent became very difficult,
the least exertion putting me out OF
breath, while a slip of the foot would
completely exhaust me. | could see,
however, that every effort brought me
nearer the crater, and although nearly
exhausted I was encouraged with the
of triumph. At length the
summit was reached about II o'clock,
and I fell exhausted on the brink OF
the crater. proceeded to enter the
crater where it was much worn, and
after I became somewhat rested l de
scended the first zone several hund-
red feet into the volcano, and as far
as 1 cold go unless I were let down
by u rope. From my position in the
first zone with the aid Of my glass l
was enabled to get a good view OF
the crater. Around hung huge mass
es of sulphur, ,interspersed with icicles
the size of hogsheads and hundreds
of feet long, while before me was the
huge abyss, whose bottom could not
see, sending up. volumes OF smoke
and steam from the center We could
remain perfectly safe and comfortable
around the sides. but after an hours
stay we ascended to the top, and the
grand view 1 there obtained l can not
describe. The crater is about one
mile across, and has the appearance
of large funnel whose sides are but
little inclined, and the bottom not vis-
ible. There seems to be three distinct
rings, which divide it into four zones,
the largest being that near the mouth.
From the summit the City of Mex
leo, although over 100 miles away,
was plainly visible, and surrounded
by lakes. as it is, seemed like mag
nificent gem set around with pearls.
The whole great Valley of Mexico can
be seen at glance. At our feet lay
Ameca, over thirty miles distant, with
its luxurious growth of tropical plants
and orange groves and banana plan
iat;ons, and on the right Puebla and
the old cities of Chilulu and Tascalla,
with their 365 churches and spires.
The distant mountain Of Orizlba, near
ly 200 miles away, the snowy peaks OF
Melenena, the White Lady, and sew
erl others in the distance. stood ar
rayed before me. i felt fully repaid
for my toll in having climbed the high
est mountain in North America whose
summit is about 1900 feet above the
sealevel, and preparation the descent,
a matter that had not given me much
thoaght
With an Indian on each side Of me
I started down at a fearful gait IL