ABRUZZI, THE ROYAL ITALIAN EXPLORER 421 



third for ninety days. The second and third parties were to carry 

 kayaks. An advance party had been sent out early in the month 

 to establish depots of supplies on the proposed route. It returned 

 in a few days, having accomplished its purpose. 



It had been intended that the Duke of the Abruzzi should lead 

 the detachments as the head of the third party, the one which would 

 have the honor of proceeding the longest way ; but early in January 

 he had two fingers of his right hand frost-bitten so severely that 

 the two top joints had to be amputated. This debarred him from 

 taking his place at the head of the enterprise, and he appointed Cap- 

 tain Cagni to the lead in his stead. The other parties were com- 

 manded, the first by Dr. Cavalli, and the second by Lieutenant Que- 

 rini. A fourth party was to follow the other three for a couple of 

 days, as an auxiliary, so as to allow of a saving in the consumption 

 of provisions carried by the others. It was also arranged that 

 twenty-five days after the start of the expedition, those of the com- 

 pany who remained behind at Teplitz Bay should send a watch party 

 to Cape Fligely, in order to be ready to set out and meet, and, if 

 necessary, render any assistance which the returning members of 

 the first detachment might require. From the top of Cape Fligely a 

 distance of eight miles could be seen over the ice to the north, 

 and a signal-post, erected on the cape, would be visible as a guide 

 to the returning explorers as they approached over the ice. The 

 watch party was to be on the cape again fifty-five days after the 

 departure of the third detachment. 



The date of departure was ultimately fixed for the i8th of Feb- 

 ruary. The detachments, when ready to start, numbered, in all, 

 twelve men, with thirteen sledges, drawn by one hundred and four 

 dogs, each sledge weighing, with its load of provisions, six hun- 

 dred and seventeen pounds. The weather, at the time of the start, 

 was intensely cold, there having been a gale blowing for some days 

 before. When all was ready for the march to begin, the detach- 

 ments set out, after hearty farewells from those who remained be- 



