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 



