FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 9 
We had strict injunctions to be on board the Balaena 
by mid-day on the following Monday, which left me only 
two days to get my kit together — a short time considering 
that all my baggage, guns, and artistic properties were 
distributed all over the town ; but it was time enough, and 
if it had not been limited, I could easily have spent a 
fortnight collecting baggage, with the result that I would 
have broi^ght a lot of unnecessary things. 
We had been advised by Arctic men to bring our 
oldest clothes ; but I had no time to make any selections 
— simply bundled what lay nearest into a box and bag, 
and was ready in no time as regards covering. But laying 
in a fresh stock of painting and drawing materials took 
a lot of time, for it was difficult to form any estimate of 
how much one would be able to use in these unknown 
parts. There was the same difficulty about ammunition. 
I had not the least idea whether I might use a few 
hundred cartridge.^, or thousands, so I laid in a supply of 
about one thousand, of different sizes of shot, and took a 
rc-loading and capping machine. A Henry express and 
a rook-rifle made up my armament. The rifles would 
have been as well left at home, for there are plenty of 
old Henrys on board, and shot guns as well. 
On Saturday evening we heard from the agent that the 
date of sailing was postponed from Monday till the fol- 
lowing Wednesday, owing to the difficulty in getting 
hands to sign articles. Though we were both ready to 
start on Monday, the reprieve of two days was welcome 
to both of us, as it gave us time to make a few more 
preparations, and scribble some hasty P.P.C/s. I sent 
