350 THE END OF THE WINTER 



to use the things. They know what is at stake. They 

 do it so that they may reach their destination; more 

 than that, they do it so that they may come back again. 

 Every piece of binding is first carefully examined and 

 tested; then it is put on, cautiously and accurately. 

 Every turn is hauled taut, taking care that it is in its 

 right place. And, finally, the lashing is pointed in such 

 a way that one would do best to use a knife or an axe if 

 it has to be undone again; there is no danger of jerking 

 it out with the fingers. A sledge journey of the kind 

 we had before us is a serious undertaking, and the work 

 has to be done seriously. 



/ 



It was no warm and comfortable workshop that they 

 had for doing this. The Clothing Store was always 

 the coldest place, probably because there was always a 

 draught through it. There was a door out on to the 

 Barrier, and an open passage leading to the house. 

 Fresh air was constantly passing through, though not 

 in any very great quantity; but it does not take much 

 to make itself felt when the air is at a temperature of 

 about - 75 F., and when one is working with bare 

 fingers. There were always some degrees of frost here. 

 In order to keep the lashings pliable while they were 

 being put on, they used a Primus lamp on a stone close 

 to where they were working. I often admired their 

 patience when I stood watching them; I have seen 

 them more than once working barehanded by the hour 

 together in a temperature of about -22 F. This may 



