182 



CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE 



use, as it cannot very well be eaten raw, and we did not use tea, 

 except on days when we were laid up. Tea is a splendid 

 stimulant, and as such is very good when one is not working, 

 but our opinion is that it is not worth while waiting for tea 

 after the sustaining meal has been eaten at night ; it is much 

 better to go to sleep at once and rest after a strenuous day's 

 work. Our tea ration was not large, but we had more than 

 half of it left when we returned. 



Our consumption of fuel was small, although we allowed the 

 lamp to burn after meals or on days when we were obliged to 

 lie still. 



On the other hand we only once cooked lunch on the trail, 

 and hardly ever tea after our meals. That arrangement worked 

 very satisfactorily, and we never once suffered from the want 

 of either. 



Our kerosene was carried in three small tanks made of heavy 

 sheet iron and capable of holding one gallon. A screw-top 

 kept the tank perfectly tight, 4 and we never lost any kerosene, 

 but our tanks were unnecessarily heavy, weighing 4^ Ibs. 

 apiece. 



RATIONS PUT UP FOR THE SLEDGE TRIP BY 



