The baggage that we have described is the very least that a soldier can carry, and if no great distance can be accomplished with such a load, the wheel is of little value for purposes of war.

The military authorities are also desirous of proving just how reliable the bicycle itself is.  Every one knows what the wheel can do on a level road or smooth track, but it has not been demonstrated how a troop of wheels will last on rough country roads.

Company E has taken no tents; the men are to sleep under such cover as they may find on the way.  No food has been taken, or provided for; the men will have to forage, or seek for their own rations.

Their one extra is a bicycle ambulance.  This is a very novel affair, and is made of a covered stretcher slung between two tandems.  The men have been allowed to put kettles and coffee-pots inside the stretcher at the start, but if in case of illness the ambulance is needed, even these small comforts will be left behind.

They have with them an engineer to make maps, and a photographer, who has a camera slung under his saddle instead of a musket.

The experiment is to be made on Long Island.  When the Shinnecock Hills are reached, two days will be spent in scouting and reconnoitring, with skirmishes and sham fights to follow.

They will thus have a week of practical campaigning.

* * * * *

While we are on the subject of wheels we are reminded of a recent decision that bicycling is illegal on Sunday in New Jersey.

This fact came out through a lawsuit.  Two cyclists were riding in the town of Westfield, N.J., one Sunday, and came into collision, one of their wheels being wrecked.

The man whose wheel was damaged claimed that the accident was due to the other’s carelessness, and sued for twenty-five dollars to cover repairs to his machine.

When the case came into court, and the judge heard that the affair had occurred on Sunday, he dismissed the complaint.

He stated that bicycling on Sunday was an illegal practice, and that no one could come before a court and ask for protection from an accident that had happened to him when he was engaged in an occupation that was against the law.

This decision will be a great surprise to a good many young folks, who have hitherto regarded Sunday as their best day to go a-wheeling.

* * * * *

We told you about Mr. Andree, who made an effort last year to reach the North Pole by balloon, and who intended to repeat the experiment this year from Spitzbergen.  The news has just reached us that he has made his start.

On the 15th of July, the wind being in a favorable direction, Mr. Andree determined to begin his dangerous voyage.

Being anxious to get away before the wind should change or die out, the preparations were hurried forward, and in three hours and a half after he decided to make his attempt, all was in readiness.