CHAP. III. THE COMMISSARIAT. 45 



order that extreme exertion and fatigue should take no part in 

 anything that might happen. This will explain why we pro- 

 ceeded so deliberately. Should it be found necessary, I was 

 prepared to devote the whole of the time that I could remain 

 in Ecuador to Chimborazo alone. I did not see fit either before 

 our departure from Europe, or at any period of the journey, to 

 communicate the nature of my objects to my assistants, or what 

 was likely to befall them. At starting, they were only aware 

 that we should proceed to South America, and that they would 

 be employed in mountain work, at great elevations. 



As it would be impossible to retain natives at our higher 

 camps, and we ourselves might be detained at them by bad 

 weather or from other causes even for weeks at a time, it was 

 necessary to be well provided with food ; and as it could not 

 be expected that we should be able to obtain on the spot pro- 

 visions which would keep for a length of time, I concluded, 

 before leaving Europe, that to work with certainty we must 

 make ourselves entirely independent of the resources of the 

 country in the matter of the food which would be consumed at 

 the greatest heights. A large quantity of the most portable and 

 most condensed provisions accordingly went out for our use.^ 



These provisions were packed in boxes measuring 28 J x llj 

 X 10 J inches, weighing about 72 lbs. apiece. Each of these boxes 

 contained three tin cases, measuring 9J x 9 x 8J inches, and each 

 tin case held food for four men for one day. The tins, being 

 thoroughly soldered down, could be left exposed in the worst 

 weather, or dipped in water without taking harm. The contents 

 comprised nearly everything that was requisite except water and 

 firing. A great saving of time was effected in the field by 



1 By persons having commercial relations with Ecuador, it was considered very- 

 absurd to take food to that country. I was told before departure that everything 

 one could possibly want could be obtained there. It is indeed true that nearly 

 everything mmj be obtained in Ecuador. It is also true that we often had great 

 difficulty in obtaining anything. My surplus stores were sold to advantage. 

 Medicines and other things brought high prices. 



