4 A FLYING TRIP TO THE TROPICS. 



The interior of Colombia was found to answer our requirements, 

 and was therefore selected as our destination. 



During the winter we perfected our plans, got together our bag- 

 gage, and tried to find out something about the country. This last 

 proved to be a difficult task. I ransacked the various bookstores in 

 New York, but nearly every book on Colombia that I found had 



been written during the twenties, and was 

 therefore of but little assistance to us. I 

 however found one that contained fairly good 

 maps, and gave considerable information 

 about roads, distances, etc. I refer to Hol- 

 ton's " New Granada." 



In regard to our baggage : in the interior 

 of the country it would have to be transported 

 on the backs of mules, for which reason our 

 trunks could not be larger than the ordinary 

 steamer trunk, nor could they weigh over 125 

 pounds apiece, so that when they were slung, 

 one on either side of the mule, the total load 

 should not exceed 250 pounds. We were to 

 carry two 12-gauge Parker's, one a very light 

 smooth-bore, the other a heavy choke. My 

 brother wrote that he would bring also his 

 32-calibre Winchester. I wished to carry 

 W?rl l\iM\mmK ' paper shells, but economy of space made me 

 t^^^i^c^- decide upon brass ones, which could be re- 

 loaded an indefinite number of times. Our 

 wads were taken from their boxes and put into shot-bags, as they 

 could thus be packed more compactly. The powder we got in one- 

 pound cans, and all of the above went into the trunks among our 

 clothes. For shot, we took a good supply of dust, 8's, 3's, and a 

 few buck, all done up in a stout bag that could be easily packed. 

 For stuffing birds I carried a supply of arsenic, corn-meal, cotton, 

 and scissors. 



