The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-09

we arrived at dark after a ride of four
or five hours on horseback from Ame-
cameca, through a beautiful valley at
first with Indian huts on either side,
then grain fields by the side of clear
limpid streams rushing down from the
melting SHOWS of the two great noun
tains which seemed to gain in grandeur
and elevation as we approached their
bases. Leaving Ixtaccihuatl to the
left, we entered a road which has evil
IDENTIFY been in use for many years as
it is SO deep for several miles that
we, on horseback, could not see over
the banks of the almost level coun-
try on either side.
ROADS AND BRIDLE PATHS.
Entering the pine timber we found
a good road for a long distance, which
is used in crossing to Puebla. How
ever near the top of the saddle be-
tween the two mountains, we left this
road, and crossed a small stream
which in Its violent descent roared
as If to scare US from our purpose.
We had now only bride paths, in some
places very poorly defined, always very
steep and slippery, over fallen timber
and rocks, under lOw-hanging limbs
where we were forced to lie close to
the necks of our horses, and on as
cending steep places hold to their
names not to slip out of the saddles
Then came the rain to add TO our diff
fculties, and for two hours we were
drenched so that we did not appreciate
the grand scenery through which we
were passing. There are many deep
gorgeS, but in no place is the trail so
near that it is very dangerous.
think there is not another hign noun
tain in the world SO accessible and at
tended with so little real danger in
its ascent as Popocatepetl. In most
places the soil is n deep loan, formed
of the decomposed ashes cast out by
the volcano, and which now produces
gradual slope to the snow line, most
ly covered by the vacation grass and
pine timber.
On arrival at Tlamacas we found
the sheds where in years past the sui
phur was refined, and in these we
tried to make ourselves comfortable
until morning. With a large fire in
the middle of the floor and the use of
some small carthen pots we prepared
our coffee and supper. We spread our
clothing out to dry. and passed mis-
erable night wrapped in our blankets,
with our feet to the fire. A 4 o'clock
We aWoke our guides and stepped out
20 see If it was light enough TO pre-
pare for the ascent OF the mountain.
UP THE MOUNTAIN.
Our guides told us to eat but little,
but to take lunch with us. They
then wrapped our feet in wooleu
clothes to protect them from the cold
and snow. Mounting our horses We
rode through the timber and across a
barranca whose sides We're soft ashes
in which our horses sank at every
step; then above the timber line,
through the zacaton grass, which
reaches into the snow. Finding the
snow extending farther down the
mountain than usual our guides advis-
ed usto ride as far as possible in order 10
save our strength, but soon our horses
were painting and able to go only a
few steps at a time. So we dismount-
ed and prepared for the Journey on
foot. We had nearly 1000 feet to as
cend over u smooth surface OF snow.
so steep that we went in zigZag fash
ion, stopping every few steps TO lie
down-presumably to admire the seem
cry. To the left lay the valley Of Mex
leo. still in the shadow, except in a
few high places, which the early sun
had tinted with gold. Almost directly
under us we could see the town Ame-
cameca with the Sacromonte and the
white convent buildings, and beyond
the three lakes, Chalco, Xochimilco and
TeXcoco, glisten. The sun lit up the
spires and towers of Mexico City, and
it seemed as if the whole world was
under us. The valley of Pucbla was
hidden by light. iieecy clouds driven
from the gulf coast, and above them
toward Arizaba's peak, with its beau
tiful white dome, and the castellated
towers of Malinche.
AT THE CRATER'S RIM.
Finally, at ll.3o o'clock, our guide
said: ALI cSta el crater" and in a
few moments we We're on the rim
warned by the guide not to go TOO neay
its edges. We threw ourselves down
and at first could only pant for breath
the only sound being the loud thumpina
of our hearts in chorus. In q short
| time We were able to rouse ourselves
take swallow of cOgnaC, eat a sweet
| lemon and a cracker and enjoy the
| awful grandeur of the scene.
Before us was a great black opening
of an oval shape, longest from north
to south, with its walls of obsidian tC
depth of Ave or six hundred feet
| Owing to overhanging walls we could
not see the lowest point. On the far,
ther side was great patch of yellow
| and from its crevasses rose q cloud
| of steam, or, as we We're told, sulphu.
rous gas, which had melted the enows
above, The guides informed US that
this is where the sulphur rock was
| taken out, and one said he had stayed
down there for thirty days at a time
and the other had made a trip eacl
day from the sulphur house to the
crater. taking down the rock TO he re,
! fined at Tlamacas.
WONDERFUL ECHOES.
1 found it took great effort to wall
a few steps and more to make a few
pictures. My body was as heavy a!
lead and my mental powers seemed
dormant. l seemed as If just awaken
ed from a sleep. After a time oul
breath came more easily and our heart
beats became more natural, but ye
there was the dazed feeling. The snow
was too solft to permit our walking
round the rim, as it was liable to slid,
down with the weight Of a person
Hearing a strange echo from ou
voices, | drew my revolver and free
several shots into the crater whicl
echoed back and forth with reall,
Wonderful effect, followed in a momen
by a crash on the opposite side as !
| great mass Of rock and snnu, Innsnnn,