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Cape Tegetthoff, Franz Josef Land
Feb. 15, 1899.

My Dear Brother Arthur =

In three days we hope to get off. I am going with only Norwegian
companions. Mr Baldwin who was to accompany me, has been ill, & is not fit for the field. Besides he has not behaved very well, and is a very timid, gloomy, despairing, apprehensive man. He weighs down the spirits of his associates - a most undesirable thing when the battle is severe enough at best. He has apologized in public for his misconduct, & I have forgiven him, & that should be the end
of it, & will be if he behaves well. I don't want a single word of this breathed to any one unless it should be necessary to defend me - & I do not think it will be.

If the criticism should be made that we were not properly supplied with warm clothing let this list of what each man was furnished with be the answer -

Long reinskin coat with hood.
3 pairs reinskin Finsks for the feet.
1 pair bearskin moccasins.
2 pair Lapp krmager.
1 pair sea-boots made to order
1 pair reinskin leggings.