CHAPTER III 



WE MAKE A START 



" Tuesday, February 26th. At last the day has ar- 

 rived, the great day, when the journey is to commence. 

 The week has passed in untiring work to get everytliing 

 ready. We should have started on the 20th, but it has 

 been postponed from day to day; there was always some- 

 thing still to do. My head has been full night and day, 

 with all that was to be done and that must not be for- 

 gotten. Oh, this unceasing mental strain, which does 

 not allow a minute's respite in which to throw off the 

 responsibility, to give loose rein to the thoughts, and let 

 the dreams have full sway! The nerves are in a state of 

 tension from the moment of awaking in the morning till 

 the eyes close late at night. Ah ! how well I know this 

 state, which I have experienced each time I have been 

 about to set out and retreat was to be cut off — never, I 

 believe, more effectually than now ! The last few nights 

 I did not get to bed before half-past three or half-past 

 four o'clock in the morning. It is not only what we 

 ouo-ht to take with us that has to be taken care of, but 

 we have to leave the vessel ; its command and responsi- 



