72 
LETTERS FROM HIGH LATITUDES. 
confusion still remains in my mind as to the real nature 
of the creatures. 
At about nine o’clock we returned to breakfast; and 
the rest of the day was spent in taking leave of our 
friends, and organizing the baggage-train, which was 
to start at midnight, under the command of the cook. 
The cavalcade consisted of eighteen horses, but of 
these only one-half were laden, two animals being told 
off to each burthen, which is shifted from the back of 
the one to that of the other every four hours. The 
pack-saddles were rude, but serviceable articles, with 
hooks on either side, on which a pair of oblong little 
chests were slung; strips of turf being stuffed beneath 
to prevent the creature’s back being galled. Such of 
our goods as could not be conveniently stowed away in 
the chests were fitted on to the top, in whatever manner 
their size and weight admitted, each pony carrying 
about 140 lbs. The photograph apparatus caused us 
the greatest trouble, and had to be distributed between 
two beasts. As was to be expected, the guides who 
assisted us packed the nitrate of silver bath upside 
down; an outrage the nature of which you cannot 
appreciate. At last everything was pretty well arranged, 
