NOVEMBER 1901. 



BOISTEROUS weather prevailing for the greater part of this 

 month, we have been closely confined to the house. Our 

 connection with the amphibia being so extremely remote 

 completely disqualifies us from enjoying our usual " constitu- 

 tional," the grating, even at low water, being occasionally 

 swept by the heavy seas. Our winter boarders, the eider 

 ducks, have been reinforced, on the morning of the 14th 

 somewhat later than usual by the arrival of a flock of long- 

 tailed ducks. These, with the eiders, will keep us company 

 till April again calls their attention to domestic affairs. Our 

 relief, which was due on the night of the llth, was effected 

 just in time; had it been delayed another day a "missed 

 relief" would probably have been recorded. The morning 

 after brought a severe north-easterly gale, which precluded 

 all possibility of making a landing during the three succeed- 

 ing days. That is usually the time allotted by the steamer in 

 the attempt. Should she fail to make a landing on the third 

 day, we are abandoned for another fortnight, minus the time 

 engaged in the attempt. As our stock of fresh provisions is 

 generally consumed by the time the relief is due, a missed 

 relief means a fortnight's regime of " hard tack " and " beef 

 embalmed," of which during the winter months we have a 

 three months' reserve stock on hand in case of such emer- 

 gencies. Fortunately, this is not of common occurrence ; 

 during the past six years but three reliefs have been missed, 

 and only one in the preceding ten. This speaks much for the 

 ability and skill of those concerned in the handling of the 

 boats, for during the winter months the landings were until 

 recently effected in darkness, and an exciting scene it was to 

 see the two boats buffeting their way through the foaming 



