ASCENT OF THE MOUNTAIN. 



189 



who would stay home. It was not, however, till the latter part of 

 April that the weather was thought favorable, and securing, for the 

 proposed expedition, the sanction of the commanding officer, we 

 made our preparations for overcoming all obstacles. Accordingly, 

 long poles were prepared, shod with iron sockets at one end and 

 hooks at the other, to assist in scaling precipices ; ropes with iron 

 grapnels were to be thrown over a projecting crag or icy point ; 

 rope ladders were made to be used if required ; shoes and sandals 

 w T ith sharp projecting points to assist in climbing the icy slopes, 

 were also bespoken ; — in short, everything that was thought might 

 be needed or would increase the chances of success, was taken 

 along. The selection of a route presented some difficulty, different 

 ones being recommended — those by San Andres and San Juan de 

 Coscomatepec particularly. In order to decide between them, we 

 endeavored to persuade some of the intelligent citizens who were 

 acquainted with the country, to go with us. At first they con- 

 sented, but as the time approached one after another declined, till 

 finally, when the party assembled for starting, it was found we were 

 to go alone. Then, as some inclined to one route and others to 

 another, we concluded to reject all their recommendations, and go 

 direct to the mountain, following the path taken by the Indians 

 engaged in bringing down snow to the city, as far as the limits of 

 vegetation, and from that point to go round the peak to the side 

 that would present the best prospect for success. 



" We left the city of Orizaba on the morning of the 7th of May, 

 the party consisting of ten officers, including one of the navy, thirty- 

 four soldiers, and two sailors serving with the naval battery, three 

 or four Mexicans and Indians as guides, and enough pack mules to 

 carry our provisions and equipments. Our expedition setting out 

 during the armistice, it was thought advisable to procure a passport 

 from the prefect of Orizaba to provide against exigencies. About 

 six miles from the city of Orizaba we passed through the small Indian 

 village of La Perla ; the inhabitants were much frightened at our 

 approach, but our passport soon quieted them, and when they came 

 to know the object of our visit, they seemed to regard us as the 

 greatest set of donkeys they ever saw, telling us very plainly that we 

 could never reach the summit. Nothing daunted, however, we con- 

 tinued on, and immediately after leaving the village commenced a 

 rapid assent, and began to enjoy views which in themselves would 

 have amply repaid us for our trouble. We encamped for the night 

 at an elevation of 7,000 feet above the level of the sea ; the night 

 was clear and bracing, but not cold enough to be uncomfortable. 



