Besides his usual equipments in the Baby Mine, he added an ax, a double barreled gun which could be taken apart and made to occupy a very small space.

This was a necessary weapon, as he knew he would have to depend largely on his own exertions for provisions through a greater part of the country he was to traverse.
These with signal lights, rockets, compass, maps, etc., completed the Baby's cargo.

As he knew he had three-thousand five-hundred and eighty miles of river to haul under him, he determined to put into practice a theory he had long maintained, that hardship can better be endured without the use of alcoholic liquors.

As a substitute, he reduced two pounds of strong black tea to liquid form, to be used as a stimulant when one was necessary, and his subsequent experience proved that his theory was correct.
General Merritt was in command of the post at Glendive and did everything in his power to assist Paul in his preparations.

During the last evening spent at the post, the General asked him what time he would start in the morning.
"At five o'clock," was the answer.
"For goodness sake," facetiously replied the General, "don't start so early.