HOW TO GET THERE. 75 middle of August that orders for the construction of the boats and the perparation of supplies could be given and the work of organization could really begin.”

The boats—called “ whaler-gigs ”—deserve some little notice. They are built of white pine, and weigh each from 920 lbs. to 1,100 lbs. without the gear, and are supposed to carry four tons of provisions, ammunition, and camp appliances ; the length is from 30 ft. to 32 ft. ; beam 6 ft. to 7 ft. ; and they draw only 20 inches when loaded. The crew consists of twelve men, soldiers and sailors, the former rowing, the latter (two) attending the helm. Each boat is fitted with two lug sails, which can be worked reefed, so as to permit of an awning being fitted underneath for protection from the sun. On approaching the cataracts they are transported on wooden rollers over the sand to the next level for re-launching. The ration for the boat service is a special one, resembling more a ship ration than a field ration. It was based on the assumption that for a considerable period the troops would be entirely dependent on the supplies contained in the boats. Each boat carries 75 packages of food supplies, weighing, roughly, about 48 cwt., including weight of packing cases. This provided 100 days’ supplies for the 12 men. The ration consisted of preserved meats of various sorts, including specially pre¬ pared bacon, biscuit, cheese, pickles, preserves, flour, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, preserved vegetables, limejuice, erbswurst, rice, tobacco, etc. Each boat also carried a box of medical comforts for the sick, and was fitted to exist as a separate unit during the period for which it was supplied.

These boats, piloted by the now famed Canadian voyageurs, together with an accompanying troop of mounted infantry—mounted on the “ship of the desert,” solved the problem of “ How to Get There.”

The voyageurs and the camel corps each deserve a chapter to themselves.