THE " TERRA NOVA " ARRIVES 293 



Only once or twice more did we have to leave our 

 berth, until on February 7, when almost all the ice had 

 left the bay, we were able to moor alongside the low, 

 fast Barrier, where we lay in peace until we went for 

 good. 



There was a great deal of animal life about us. A 

 number of whales came close in to the vessel, where they 

 stayed still to look at the uninvited guests. On the ice 

 seals came right up to the ship, as did large and small 

 flocks of penguins, to have a look at us. These latter 

 Mere altogether extraordinarily inquisitive creatures. 

 Two Emperor penguins often came to our last moorings 

 to watch us laying out an ice-anchor or hauling on a 

 hawser, while they put their heads on one side and 

 jabbered, and they were given the names of " the 

 Harbour-master and his Missis." 



A great number of birds, skua gulls, snowy petrels 

 and Antarctic petrels, flew round the ship and gave us 

 many a good " roast ptarmigan." 



On the morning of February 4, about 1 a.m., the 

 watchman, Beck, came and called me with the news that 

 a vessel was coming in. I guessed at once, of course, 

 that it was the Terra Nova; but I must confess that I 

 did not feel inclined to turn out and look at her. We 

 hoisted the colours, however. 



As soon as she was moored. Beck told me, some of 

 her party went ashore, presumably to look for the house. 

 They did not find it, though, and at 3 a.m. Beck came 



