four o'clock in the afternoon before
27 Porters 3 Coarse Washers and Ironers 44 Mules 1 Fine ditto 44 Muleteers 7 Cows 2 Milkers Total , 154 men , 51 animals . Grand Total , 205 . RATIONS , ETC. . APPARATUS 16 Cases Hams 25 Spring Mattresses 2 Barrels Flour 2 Hair ditto 22 Barrels Whiskey Bedding for same 1 Barrel Sugar 2 Mosquito-nets 1 Keg Lemons 29 Tents 2,000 Cigars Scientific Instruments 1 Barrel Pies 97 Ice-axes 1 Ton of Pemmican 5 Cases Dynamite 143 Pair Crutches 7 Cans Nitroglycerin 2 Barrels Arnica 22 40-foot Ladders 1 Bale of Lint 2 Miles of Rope 27 Kegs Paregoric 154 Umbrellas It was full four o'clock in the afternoon before my cavalcade was entirely ready . At that hour it began to move . In point of numbers and spectacular effect , it was the most imposing expedition that had ever marched from Zermatt . I commanded the chief guide to arrange the men and animals in single file , twelve feet apart , and lash them all together on a strong rope .