358 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Sept. 



the bag sufficiently comfortable for anyone to desire to linger 

 in it. The toggles are soon undone, and we all hoist our- 

 selves into a sitting position and search about us for mits and 

 other articles of attire. A prolonged howl is sent forth into 

 the dim morning light, ' Rouse out ! Rouse out ! Time to get 

 up ! ' and presently one hears the mufifled response from the 

 other tents, ' A' right, sir ! ' A moment or two more, and all 

 are busy again. 



The murmur of conversation in the other tents comes to 

 our ears, and occasionally some remark intended for the whole 

 camp. Two of us have tumbled out through the door of the 

 tent, and the moist sleeping-bag is dragged through to be rolled 

 up outside. The cook has already dashed for his Primus 

 lamp ; the cooker is filled and passed in, and soon the hissing 

 sound in each tent tells that breakfast preparations have com- 

 menced. 



We take a swift run round to the other tents to inquire the 

 news of the night and make a rapid survey of the various 

 ailments ; then on to the thermometer to find the spirit column 

 resting at —45°, though the indicator shows that it has been 

 colder in the night ; its upper end is resting more than 50'' 

 below zero (in fact, on spring journeys it was often found 

 below — 60°). The temperature is slowly rising, but it is still 

 bitter enough as we seek again the shelter of the tent. 



It is lucky that the watched pot does occasionally boil, for 

 all eyes are now glued on the cooker, and, thanks to its 

 efficiency, no long time passes before the pemmican can be 

 thrown in and the savoury smell of breakfast arises. With 

 breakfast, peace and comfort again reign for a short spell, and 

 whilst its grateful warmth is still felt we puff again at our 

 pipe and collect as best we can our boots and other articles 

 necessary for the day's march. The sun has just risen 

 above the horizon, but the wind has come with it, and its 

 golden rays are reddened by the low driving snowdrift. 

 Some of the worst ordeals of the day are before us, and to 

 venture into the open in the wind is not a pleasing prospect. 

 Faces take rather a grim expression, but delay doesn't help 



