SLEDGE JOURNEY. 423 



to melt, and penetrate the clothes, makmg us look like 

 seals coming up out of the water. 



In a steadily rising temperature, too, the snow on which 

 we lay would melt, and the sack get wet underneath, 

 not to dry again till the summer, but freeze on the sledge 

 in those hard folds we dreaded so much. We repeatedly 

 felt the want of india-rubber coverings. 



This state of things often lasted from two to three 

 days, and we waited with an indifference bordering on 

 stupidity, sitting squeezed, with numbed hands, mending 

 the gloves or stockings, almost freezing, masked ; beards 

 full of ice, stuffed up with a chaos of frozen clothes 

 and boots, and, worst of all, fasting. The duration of 

 the journey, as well as the extent of country to be 

 explored, depended upon the use of the provisions. If, 

 therefore, some part of the time was lost through storms, 

 this loss, in spite of hunger, thirst, and loss of strength, 

 could only be regained by reduced rations, which often 

 only consisted of a thin soup. 



The saucepan has become leaky, a small sea has formed 

 on the sack, the spirit-lamp runs, and repeatedly threatens 

 to destroy the tent by fire, which, during the storm, 

 would be the work of a moment. The cook grumbles, 

 burns his fingers to-day which were frozen yesterday ; — 

 urged on by hunger, his cooking is subject to sharp 

 criticism, as each is waiting for the eventful moment 

 when the meal shall be ready. 



All food was frozen — even brandy began to freeze one 

 night — meat in the tins or ham had to be chopped with 

 the axe; butter could, without any fear, be carried in 

 the waistcoat-pocket, to be enjoyed on the march. 



Woe to the unfortunate man who, in a lull of the storm. 



