CHAPTER XVIII.
ASCENT OF POPOCATEPETL.--"THE WHITE WOMAN."--GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF THE VOLCANO.--FIRST ASCENT BY WHITE MEN.-- AMECAMECA.--HIRING HORSES AND BUYING PROVISIONS.--EQUIPMENT FOR THE EXCURSION.--DANGER OF ROBBERS.--PEONS AND VOLCANEROS.-- FIELDS OF BARLEY AND FORESTS OF PINE.--AN INDIAN TRADITION.-- FATE OF THE GIANT AND GIANTESS.--ICE FROM POPOCATEPETL FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO.--SULPHUR FROM THE CRATER.--SLEEPING AT TLAMACAS.--ARRIVAL AT LA CRUZ.--THE ASCENT ON FOOT.-- DIFFICULTIES OF CLIMBING IN THE RAREFIED AIR.--THE PICO DEL FRAILE.--CAUGHT IN A CLOUD. 279