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 photographic 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, - guns, powder, shot, tea-kettles, rice, tents, beds, portable soups, etc. all stowed away, - when the desponding Wilson came to me, his chin sweeping the ground, to say - that he very much feared the cook would die of the ride, - that he had never been on horseback in his life, - that as an experiment he had hired a pony that very morning at his own charges, - had been run away with, but having been caught and brought home by an honest Icelander, was now lying down - that position being the one he found most convenient.

As the first day's journey was two-and-thirty miles, and would probably necessitate his being twelve or thirteen hours in the saddle, I began to be really alarmed for my poor chef; but finding on inquiry that these gloomy prognostics were entirely voluntary on the part of Mr. Wilson, that the officer in question was full of zeal, and only too anxious to add horsemanship to his other accomplishments, I did not interfere.

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