no THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



engineer, who was suffering from consumption, there was 

 no dangerous case of sickness. 



The sledges used had runners 6, 8, and 11 feet long, and 

 li, 2, and 2f inches broad, respectively, and were gently 

 curved at each end. The height of the sledges above the 

 snow was about 1 foot, and they were constructed of the 

 best ash. They carried loads amounting to 7, 12, and 

 20 cwt. The two runners were fastened together by two 

 strong front boards, and by four cross-pieces of wood firmly 

 lashed to the upright standards of the sledge, which were 

 themselves dovetailed into the runners. 



As regards the cooking apparatus, Payer points out 

 that it should be made of sheet iron, each of its parts of 

 one piece, and there should be no soldering, in order to 

 diminish the risk of breakage and the setting fire to the 

 tent by the escape of the spirit in a state of combustion. 



The covering for the feet consisted of sailcloth boots, 

 lined with flannel, and soled with stout felt. They were 

 made wide so that they could be put easily over three 

 pairs of strong woollen stockings. 



The first sledge-party left the ship on 11th March 1874. 

 It was equipped for one week, and its object was to recon- 

 noitre a route for an extended journey towards the north. 

 Payer took six men and three dogs. In about two hours 

 after leaving the ship they had passed the south-west cape 

 of Wilczek Island, on which they had previously landed. 

 During this journey Payer began the determination of 

 the localities of Franz-Josef Land, by a triangulation of 

 elevated points, to which the measurement of a base was 

 afterwards to be added. The ascent of high mountains 

 therefore formed part of the programme. 



Hall Island at Cape Tegetthoff was reached on the 

 12th March. Part of the journey had to be made against 

 driving snow with a temperature about 26° F. below zero. 

 In the afternoon of the 12th, Payer with two Tyrolese 



