238 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Jan. 



framed the clear sea beyond, and I was gazing dreamily out 

 upon this patch of blue when suddenly a ship entered my field 

 of view. It was so unexpected that I almost rubbed my eyes 

 before I dared to report it, but a moment after, of course, all 

 became bustle and we began to search round for our boots and 

 other articles necessary for the march. Whilst we were thus 

 employed, Wilson looked up and said, "Why, there's another," 

 and sure enough there were now two vessels framed in our 

 doorway. We had of course taken for granted that the first 

 ship was the " Morning," but what in the name of fortune 

 could be the meaning of this second one ? We propounded 

 all sorts of wild theories of which it need only be said that not 

 one was within measurable distance of the truth. 



'Meanwhile we were busily donning our garments and 

 discussing what should be done next. The ships were making 

 towards the ice-edge some five miles to the westward ; our 

 easiest plan would be to go straight on board, but then if we 

 did so our companions on board the " Discovery " would know 

 nothing of it, and it would mean a long delay before they could 

 get their mails. Our duty seemed to be to consider first the 

 establishment of communications, so, hastily scribbling some 

 notes with directions for the dog team and a sledge party to 

 be sent down without delay, we started southward to search 

 for the penguin hunters in order that these notes might be 

 delivered. 



' We went on for a long time without seeing a sign of them, 

 but after travelling some six miles we caught sight of their 

 tent, though without any signs of life about it ; we had to come 

 within a hundred yards before our shouts were answered and 

 four very satisfied figures emerged, still munching the remains 

 of what evidently had been a hearty meal. Of course I thought 

 they had not seen the ships, but they had, only, as they ex- 

 plained, they didn't see there was any call for them to do any- 

 thing in the matter. I said, "But, good heavens, you want 

 your mails, don't you?" "Oh, yes, sir," they replied, "but 

 we thought that would be all right." In other words, they as 

 good as said that life was so extremely easy and pleasant that 



