The first thing I bought was a mule-pack. Being a merciful man, I chose one of medium size, for already I could fancy myself becoming fond of the animal which was to be my companion in many wild and solitary places, and I did not wish to overburden him. I then, aided and abetted by Molly, began to choose the pack's contents. An "_Appareil de cuisson alpin, Idéal_" went without saying, like the air one breathes. It composed itself, according to the voluble attendant who displayed it, of six parts, each part far better than the others. There was a _gamelle_, with a "_crochet pour l'enlever_" and a _couvercle_, which, not to show itself proud, would lend its services also as an _assiette_ or a _poêle à frire_. There was the burner of alcohol; there was "_le couvercle de celui-ci_," which served equally to measure the spirit, and there was a charming _appareil brise vent_ which had the air of defying tornadoes. When I had secured this treasure, Molly drew my attention to a series of aluminium boxes made to fit eggs and sandwiches. I bought these also, and, pleased with the clean white metal, invested in plates, goblets, and water bottles of the same. Next came a _couvert pliant_, containing knife, fork, and spoon; and, lest I should be guilty of selfishness, I ordered a duplicate for the man who would look after the mule. Best of all, however, were the tinned soups, meats, vegetables, puddings, and cocoas, which you simply set on the fire in their bright little cans, and heated till they sent forth a steamy fragrance. Then you ate or drank them, and were happy as a king. Molly and I selected a number of these, and completed the list with a sleeping bag and a _tente de touriste_, which she persuaded me would be indispensable when lost in the mountains, as I was sure to be, often. When my goods and chattels came to be collected, we were shocked to find that the mule-pack would not contain them. The question remained, then, whether I should sacrifice these new possessions, already dear, or whether I should doom my mule to carry a greater burden. The attendant intimated that Swiss mules preferred heavy loads, and had they the vocal gifts of Balaam's ass, would demand them. Swayed by my desires and his arguments, I changed my pack for a larger one. After more than an hour in the shop, we tore ourselves away, leaving word that the things should be sent by post to Lucerne. We then repaired to the Bear Pit, by way of the Clock, and having supplied ourselves with plenty of carrots, had no cause to complain of our reception. [Illustration] CHAPTER V In Search of a Mule "Yes, we await it, but it still delays, and then we suffer." --MATTHEW ARNOLD. "When I arose and saw the dawn, I sighed for thee . . . Come, long-sought!" --PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY.