The mask prevents the face from being cut to pieces by
the cold dry winds, and blistered by the powerful rays of the sun
reverberated from the snow.
CATTLE.
Happy is the traveller who has the opportunity of hiring his cattle with
their attendants: for his delay and cares are then reduced to those of
making a bargain, and of riding what he has hired; and when one set of
animals is tired or worn out, he can leave them behind and ride on with
others. But, for the most part, explorers must drive their own beasts
with them: they must see to their being watered, tended, and run after
when astray; help to pack and harness them; fatigue themselves for their
benefit; and drudge at the work of a cowherd for some hours a day.
In fitting out a caravan, as few different kinds of animals should be
taken as possible, or they will split into separate herds, and require
many men to look after them.
The dispositions of the animals that compose a caravan affect, in no
small degree, the pleasure of travelling with it. Now, it is to be
noticed that men attach themselves to horses and asses, and in a lesser
degree to mules and oxen, but they rarely make friends of camels.
Weights carried by Cattle.--The net weights that these different animals
carry in trying, long-continued journeys--through stages uncertain in
length, sometimes leading to good pasture, sometimes to bad--must not be
reckoned higher than the following; and an animal draws about 2 1/2 times
as much net weight as he carries:--An ass, 65 lbs.
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