296 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Aug. 



are being put together, provisions weighed out, dog-harness 

 prepared, fur clothing overhauled, and each item of equipment 

 carefully reconsidered. Everything is being pushed forward 

 for a start on Monday next ; the first party away, others will 

 quickly follow, and soon, it is to be hoped, our travelling will 

 be in full swing.' 



'August 29. — . . . For some time past it has been 

 amusing on entering the warm, comfortable living-quarters, 

 to see the table strewn with garments, reels of cotton, skeins 

 of thread, tape, thimbles, packets of needles, and every other 

 necessary of the tailor's art, and to see gathered around the 

 table our whole company plying their needles as though they 

 were being sweated by some iron-handed taskmaster. Indeed, 

 I am not sure that this is not the case : if we consider " King 

 Frost " as a taskmaster, he is certainly an exacting one. This 

 sort of thing is bound to go on until we actually start on our 

 journeys, because no one is ever quite satisfied with what he 

 has made, and when a garment is completed there is always 

 some suggested alteration that promises to be a slight improve- 

 ment ; and after the spring journeys, when we have had more 

 experience, the probability is that nearly everything will be 

 altered again. However, it is very cheering to see so much 

 enthusiasm displayed, and it augurs well for our work that 

 everyone should be taking it so seriously, and should be so 

 evidently bent on making it a success. 



'So our only sewing-machine clatters away all day long, 

 whilst bent fingers are stitching busily, and the whole ship is 

 alive with the bustle of our active preparations. I have issued 

 orders for sledging to commence next week, and for the gear 

 to be ready for packing on Monday.' 



' Monday, September i. — . . . All will be ready for a start 

 to-morrow. The wind has sprung up again, but it is com- 

 paratively mild, and we are packing the sledges. To-morrow 

 at this hour I hope we shall be spinning along to the north 

 with the dogs, to test our arrangements, the climatic con- 

 ditions, and the discipline of the animals; whilst Armitage 

 and Barne, with a party of ten men, go forth on a similar 



