FITTING UP THE OIL-HUT 139 



tin and some firebricks have been made into an excellent little 

 stove, which has been connected to the old stove-pipe. The 

 solider fare of our meals is either stewed or fried on this stove 

 whilst the tea or cocoa is being prepared on a primus. 



The temperature of the hut is low, of course, but in every 

 other respect we are absolutely comfortable. There is an un- 

 limited quantity of biscuit, and our discovery at Pram Point 

 means an unlimited supply of seal meat. We have heaps of 

 cocoa, coffee, and tea, and a sufficiency of sugar and salt. In 

 addition a small store of luxuries, chocolate, raisins, lentils, oat- 

 meal, sardines, and jams, which will serve to vary the fare. 

 One way and another we shall manage to be very comfortable 

 during our stay here, and already we can regard it as a tem- 

 porary home. 



Thursday, March 9, A.M. — Yesterday and to-day very busy 

 about the hut and overcoming difficulties fast. The stove threat- 

 ened to exhaust our store of firewood. We have redesigned it 

 so that it takes only a few chips of wood to light it and then 

 continues to give great heat with blubber alone. To-day there are 

 to be further improvements to regulate the draught and increase 

 the cooking range. We have further housed in the living quar- 

 ters with our old Discovery winter awning, and begin already to 

 retain the heat which is generated inside. We are beginning to 

 eat blubber and find biscuits fried in it to be delicious. 



We really have everything necessary for our comfort and 

 only need a little more experience to make the best of our re- 

 sources. The weather has been wonderfully, perhaps omi- 

 nously, fine during the last few days. The sea has frozen over 

 and broken up several times already. The warm sun has given 

 a grand opportunity to dry all gear. 



Yesterday morning Bowers went with a party to pick up 

 the stores rescued from the floe last week. Evans volunteered 

 to join the party with Meares, •Keohane, Atkinson, and Gran. 

 They started from the hut about 10 A.M. ; we helped them up the 

 hill, and at 7.30 I saw them reach the camp containing the gear, 

 some 1 2 miles away. I don't expect them in till to-morrow night. 



It is splendid to see the way in which everyone is learning 

 the ropes, and the resource which is being shown. Wilson as 

 usual leads in the making of useful suggestions and in generally 

 providing for our wants. He is a tower of strength in checking 



