START FOR THE GREAT GLACIER. 169 



be devoted to an exploring expedition up the great 

 glacier. Preparations were commenced accordingly, 

 alpenstocks, light silken ropes, and my portable 

 bridge were got out ; kiltas of provisions packed, 

 and half-a-dozen of our stoutest followers told off 

 to accompany us. Fred undertook the arrange- 

 ments of the victualling department. The Doctor 

 occupied himself in carefully stowing his instru- 

 ments for ascertaining altitudes, &c., whilst I saw 

 to the general equipment of the party. 



These matters settled, after a smoke and a hot 

 brew of Glenlivet, we wrappeld ourselves up in 

 our blankets and slept the sleep of the just. 



Early dawn saw us up and equipped for our 

 arduous enterprise, and after a substantial breakfast 

 we started for the glacier, which we reached before 

 the sun had made his appearance from behind the 

 distant mountains. Several of our people had 

 accompanied us up to this point, carrying the 

 stores, &c., so as to spare the exploring party as 

 much as possible ; and I gave orders to those left 

 behind to build a shanty in a sheltered place near 

 the foot of the glacier, and to collect a large 



