THE SLEDGE-LOADS 17 



expedients fall to the ground. There is, however, one 

 form of entertainment that may be indulged in under 

 these circumstances without scruple, and that is a good 

 nap. Happy the man who can sleep the clock round 

 on days like these; but that is a gift that is not vouch- 

 safed to all, and those who have it will not own up to 

 it. I have heard men snore till I was really afraid they 

 would choke, but as for acknowledging that they had 

 been asleep — never! Some of them even have the 

 coolness to assert that they suffer from sleeplessness, but 

 it was not so bad as that with any of us. 



In the course of the day the wind dropped, and we 

 went out to do some work. We transferred the old 

 depot to the new one. We now had here three com- 

 plete sledge-loads, for which there would be little use, 

 and which, therefore, were left behind. The eastern 

 party availed themselves of part of these supplies on 

 their journey, but not much. This depot is a fairly 

 large one, and might come in useful if anyone should 

 think of exploring the region from King Edward Land 

 southward. As things were, we had no need of it. At 

 the same time the sledges were packed, and when evening 

 came everything was ready for our departure. There had 

 really been no hurry about this, as we were going to stay 

 here on the following day as well; but one soon learns 

 in these regions that it is best to take advantage of good 

 weather when you have it — you never know how long 

 it will last. There was, however, nothing to be said 



