I902] RETURN TO THE SHIP 385 



chocolate, whilst we waited for the storm to pass, with a grow- 

 ing stiffness in the backs of our necks from the never-ceasing 

 flap of the canvas against which we leaned. More miserable 

 conditions could scarce be imagined. 



' Throughout the day we had not been able to spare a 

 thought for the dogs, but we imagined that they would long 

 ere this have been covered with snow, and therefore comfort- 

 able enough ; but about this time we heard a sad whimpering 

 at our door and found poor " Brownie," a very miserable 

 shivering object, whining piteously with cramp, so he was 

 allowed to pass the night inside, where he seemed to make 

 himself very happy, especially when he got some of our supper. 

 The rest never uttered a sound till we roused them out of their 

 soft nests on the following morning. 



' As darkness descended on us again we lay in our hags 

 with the snow four inches thick on the floorcloth about us, 

 and our clothes becoming more and more saturated with 

 moisture ; but at seven o'clock the snow ceased to fall, at nine 

 the wind came in violent squalls, and at ten it was evident that 

 the worst of the storm was passed, Stiff and sore, we set 

 about making our position more comfortable, and then en- 

 deavoured to snatch a few hours' sleep. 



' This morning we roused out at 3 a.m., cooked our first 

 meal for thirty hours, and briefly discussed the situation. Our 

 sleeping-bags and clothes were literally covered with ice, and 

 we could only push on under the most abject discomfort ; by 

 returning to the ship we should only lose one day's march and 

 everything could be dried afresh. We did not hesitate long 

 before deciding to return, and after a grand hot meal of cocoa 

 and pemmican we gradually collected our scattered belongings 

 and packed them on the sledges. 



' As we started on the homeward march, the sun was rising 

 in great magnificence, lighting the east with brilliant red and 

 bathing the western hills in the softest pink. It was hard to 

 think that a gale had raged here but a few hours before. 



' I think this must have been the coldest blizzard we have 

 had ; our minimum thermometer was drifted up with snow 

 VOL I. c c 



