1912] j A FIRE 229 
made exactly two teams. This left at the hut seven dogs who 
could work but were unable to stand the trials of a long journey. 
Debenham started to exercise these dogs for geological purposes 
around the hut. Small as the team was, it made up in obstinacy 
and trouble for its size. 
The chief trouble was getting away from the Cape down a 
pretty steep ice-foot, and the old leader, Stareek, generally refus- 
ing to do his duty when he was within reach of the hut, their 
direction at first was uncertain. 
On September 3, Wright, Debenham, Cherry-Garrard, and 
I made a small trip over the Barne Glacier to Cape Royds, 
Shackleton’s winter quarters. Our main object was to secure a 
few luxuries and to leave some spirit and apparatus there for 
work to be done amongst the penguins in the summer. We 
found on arriving that the bays and the whole of the Sound as 
far as we could see were practically free from ice. 
On September 5, during a stiff blow, our chimney caught fire. 
The chimney consisted of an upright piece which went through 
the hut about the middle. A galley and a stove were at either 
-end of the hut; from each of these a funnel ran and connected 
with the central upright piece. The fire started at first in the 
centre and gradually spread down towards the galley or cooking 
range. We got the flames under control by covering the chimney 
on the outside with large slabs of snow, the inside of the hut 
meanwhile being full of smoke and smuts. After some trouble 
the funnel was disjointed, taken out and swept through. 
During the worst time the funnel for nearly half its length 
was red-hot and glowing, and the heat inside the hut was very 
uncomfortable. 
On the 6th, with the idea of giving the members exercise, 
Nelson, Gran, Crean and Archer started for Cape Royds over 
the Barne Glacier. Gran made a complete list of all the stores 
at Shackleton’s quarters and the party returned on the following 
day. 
The exercise of the mules was now carried on over a longer 
period, sledges were made up and they were harnessed in and 
drew their loads on alternate days. The only mule that gave 
us any serious trouble was Gulab; but Williamson throughout 
was most tactful and painstaking with this mule, who proved 
eventually to be the best beast that we had. Pyaree’s capped 
