226 Ascent to the Summit of the Popocatepetl. 
for the remains of a crater. It extends in a straight line from the 
top of the volcano to the nearest fir-trees, and is intersected with ba- 
salts of lava and porphyry, and, at particular places, is crossed by 
perpendicular walls of rock and immense heaps of snow ; but it was 
easy to see that, by making some circuits, the summit of the volcano 
might be reached that way. We, therefore, went down into this 
hollow, and, without losing sight of one another, each took different 
roads: M. de Gerolt the middle ; I walked on the left, and Mr. Eg- 
erton, with Luciano, between us. I thought mine to be the best 
path, but I was mistaken ; I nearly broke my neck a hundred times ; 
and, if I again undertake the journey, I shall go by the bottom of 
the ravine. 
When we could get upon the snow, we walked with greater facil- 
ity. It was furrowed by the wind and sun, and was like a fresh- 
ploughed field ; and as the furrows were parallel to the horizon, they 
served as steps. On the sands and rocks there was real danger, for 
the least inattention or false step would have been fatal. At twelve 
o’clock we had reached the summit of those perpendicular rocks I 
have before mentioned ; but our strength was beginning to fail us, and, 
after every eight or ten steps, we were compelled to make a long 
rest to take breath, and to allow the circulation of the blood to quiet 
itself a little. 
Though we were in the midst of snow, we felt no inconvenience 
from the cold, except when drinking, or when we touched the metal 
parts of our instruments. But it was necessary to call aloud to be 
heard at twenty paces; the air was indeed so rarified at that height, 
that I tried in vain to whistle, and Mr. Egerton had the greatest dif- 
ficulty in obtaining a sound from a small horn he had brought with 
him. 
At half-past two M. de Gerolt was on the highest point of the vol- 
cano. He skipped about with joy, and made me a sign indicating 
that there was an abyss at his feet. At thirty-seven minutes after 
two o’clock I had attained the summit, and I was on the highest 
edge of the crater. Here all my fatigues were over ; breathing was 
no longer difficult ; I was body and soul absorbed in the sight I had 
before me, and I felt a new life. I was in a state of supreme satis- 
faction, difficult to be described; and I also leaped in my turn, to 
encourage Mr. Egerton, who still had some awkward passes to get 
over. 
