"long line of 17 men, including Spence, James and myself, were winding our way along the gently rising floor of the Tresk Valley which forms the prelude to the steep trail leading to the crater rim, 2900 feet above the sea. About two hours of steady work brought us to the rim and my men soon leveled off the spot which had been selected for a camp site, the tents were erected and everything put into order for the work of the expedition. But the nearest source of drinking water was about a mile away and 1000 feet lower down the trail. The trail too was so steep for part of the distance that the 'heading' of a five-gallon demijohn of water every day was no light task and rendered us careful in the use of the