96 THE VOYAGE OF THE * DISCOVERY ' [1902- 



spite of the difficulties of providing for the large numbers who 

 were to be employed, all would be ready before the end of the 

 month. Progress was so satisfactory that it was decided that, 

 November 9 being the King's birthday, there should be a 

 general holiday, and it seemed no more fitting occasion could 

 present itself for holding the athletic sports which we had often 

 discussed. Accordingly, in the early morning the ship was 

 dressed with flags, the large silken Union Jack was hoisted at 

 Hut Point, and marks were placed and arrangements made 

 for the various competitions. The events were entered into 

 with the keenest delight, and as they were of a somewhat novel 

 character for English sports, some of them deserve notice. 



Since our men had become expert on ski, competitions 

 connected with them were bound to be included ; in the flat 

 ski race it was impossible to say who would win, as so many 

 could now go at a great pace ; for the first half mile this event 

 was wildly exciting, the leaders passing and repassing one 

 another ; but after that, staying powers showed up, and the 

 race was won by Evans 'in a canter.' Next came a ski race 

 down one of the steep hill-slopes which had given us so much 

 amusement in the previous autumn ; here of course it was 

 skill and dexterity rather than strength which won the prize. 



A very sporting event was the half-mile race on foot between 

 teams of officers and men dragging heavy loaded sledges ; at 

 the start the teams went off at a gallop, but this pace was very 

 soon reduced, and as the officers staggered back and won by a 

 small margin they felt that they had had enough racing to last 

 them for a long time. 



Perhaps the keenest interest had been taken in the toboggan 

 race. For this the men had entered in pairs, and each pair 

 had been obliged to provide their own toboggan, subject to 

 the rule that no sledge, or part of a sledge, and no ski could be 

 used. The start was to be made from high up the hillside, 

 and as the time for it approached there were gradually assem- 

 bled perhaps the queerest lot of toboggans that had ever been 

 seen together. The greater number were made from old boxes 

 and cask staves, but the manner in which these were put 



