AT THE THIRD DEPOT 27 



though it claimed credit for the way in which it had 

 discharged its duty. Here, as at the depot in 81° S., 

 there was hardly a sign of snowfall. The drift round 

 the depot had reached the same height as there — li feet. 

 Clearly the same conditions of weather had prevailed 

 all over this region. The depot stood as we had made 

 it, and the sledge as we had left it. Falling snow and 

 drift had not been sufficient to cover even this. The 

 little drift that there was offered an excellent place for 

 the tent, being hard and firm. We at once set about the 

 work that had to be done. First, Uranus was sent into 

 the next world, and although he had always given us the 

 impression of being thin and bony, it was now seen that 

 there were masses of fat along his back; he would be 

 much appreciated when we reached here on the return. 

 Jaala did not look as if she would fulfill the conditions, 

 but we gave her another night. The dogs* pemmican in 

 the depot was just enough to give the dogs a good 

 feed and load up the sledges again. We were so well 

 supplied with all other provisions that we were able 

 to leave a considerable quantity behind for the return 

 journey. 



Next day we stayed here to give the dogs a thorough 

 rest for the last time. We took advantage of the fine 

 weather to dry our outfit and check our instruments. 

 When evening came we were all ready, and now we 

 could look back with satisfaction to the good work of 

 the autumn; we had fully accomplished what we aimed 



