254 DEPOT JOURNEYS 



4 ' It is strange indeed here to go outside in the evening 

 and see the cosy, warm lamp-light through the window of 

 our little snow-covered hut, and to feel that this is our 

 snug, comfortable home on the formidable and dreaded 

 Barrier. All our little puppies as round as Christmas 

 pigs are wandering about outside, and at night they 

 lie in crowds about the door. They never take shelter 

 under a roof at night. They must be hardy beasts. 

 Some of them are so fat that they waddle just like 

 geese." 



The aurora australis was seen for the first time on the 

 evening of March 28. It was composed of shafts and 

 bands, and extended from the south-west to the north- 

 east through the zenith. The light was pale green and 

 red. We see many fine sunsets here, unique in the 

 splendour of their colour. No doubt the surroundings 

 in this fairyland of blue and white do much to increase 

 their beauty. 



The departure of the last depot journey was fixed for 

 Friday, March 31. A few days before, the seal-hunting 

 party went out on the ice and shot six seals for the 

 depot. They were cleaned and all superfluous parts 

 removed, so that they should not be too heavy. The 

 weight of these six seals was then estimated at about 

 2,400 pounds. 



On March 31, at 10 a.m., the last depot party started. 

 It consisted of seven men, six sledges, and thirty-six 

 dogs. I did not go myself this time. They had the 



