The lining and the engraving took a long time.

He ordered from M.Tastevin a magnificent log-book in which to write his journal.

Then he sent to Marseille for a whole cargo of preserved food, for pemmican tablets to make soup, for a bivouac tent of the latest design, which could be erected or struck in a few minutes, a pair of sea-boots, two umbrellas, a waterproof and a pair of dark glasses to protect his eyes.

Finally, Bezuquet the chemist made up a medicine chest full of sticking plaster, pills and lotions.

All these preparations were made in the hope that by these and other delicate attentions he could appease the fury of Tartarin-Sancho, which, since the departure had been decided, had raged unabated by day and by night..