1903] DELAYS IN THE BREAK-UP 127 



work, and to expend gun-cotton with a lavish hand ; it is far 

 too late to commence such a big undertaking this year.' 



^February 25. — . . . There is no doubt things are looking 

 serious. The ice is as stagnant as ever ; there has been 

 scarcely any change in the last week. I have had to rouse 

 myself to face the situation. The " Morning " must go in less 

 than a week, and it seems now impossible that we shall be free 

 by that time, though I still hope the break-up may come after 

 she has departed. I have been busy all day writing despatches, 

 and have drawn up a summary of our proceedings, as well as 

 a more detailed description of our present position. 



' Some time ago I decided that, if we are to remain on 

 here, it will be with a reduced ship's company, and certainly 

 without the one or two undesirables that we possess. 



'Yesterday I had a talk to the men. I put the whole 

 situation before them ; I told them that I thought we should 

 probably get out after the "Morning" had left, but it was 

 necessary to consider the possibility of our not being able to 

 do so, and to make arrangements for such a contingency at 

 once. I said that I wished nobody to stop on board who did 

 not do so voluntarily, and I hinted that I should be glad for a 

 reduction in our numbers ; anyone who wished to leave would 

 be given a passage in the " Morning." 



' To-day a list has been sent round for the names of those 

 who desire to quit, and the result is curiously satisfactory. I 

 had decided to reduce our number by eight, and there are 

 eight names on the list, and not only that, but these names are 

 precisely those which I should have placed there had I under- 

 taken the selection myself. 



' As regards the mess-deck, therefore, we shall be left with 

 the pick of our company, all on good terms, and all ready, as 

 they say, to stand by the ship whatever betides. Of course, 

 all the officers wish to remain ; but here, with much reluctance, 

 I have had to pick out the name of one who, in my opinion, 

 is not fitted to do so. It has been a great blow to poor 

 Shackleton, but I have had to tell him that I think he must 

 go ; he ought not to risk further hardships in his present state 



