THE ASCENT. 289 



now passed over ridge after ridge, and steppe after 

 steppe of sand, black stones, broken lava, powdered 

 pumice-stone, and ashes, evidently the debris of 

 volcanic matter. In some places the ground was 

 steep and very much broken up, and it would have 

 been difficult travelling for animals not accustomed 

 to such work ; but our mules evidently knew their 

 way, and we got on with very little trouble. 



Continuing the ascent, soon after 10 a.m. we 

 arrived at the " Estancio de los Ingleses," an alti- 

 tude of 9,700 feet, which is the usual halting- 

 place for travellers, who generally light large fires 

 of retama wood, and pass the night under the 

 shelter of two overhanging rocks, and continuing 

 the ascent before daybreak so as to see the sun 

 rise from the summit. 



As we had the advantage of nearly full moon, 

 and the night was almost as light as the day, we 

 resolved to see the sun set from the crater, and to 

 descend at night. 



Continuing our route, the slope becoming 

 steeper, we reached a comparatively level spot, 

 called the " Alta Vista," an altitude of 10,700 



