46 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



" hangar " or enclosure for the dogs. Large tarpaulins over- 

 hang at the sides, and partly cover the central space ; and here 

 the dogs are snugger than they are likely to be in Antarctica. 

 On the port side the broken bulwarks have been roughly 

 barricaded by ropes and planks ; the narrow alley alongside 

 being largely occupied by spare timber and scantling, on which 

 three or four other dogs are chained. 



A prominent building is the ice-house, with a flat roof, 

 on which are two most important instruments and some half- 

 dozen dogs. The ice-house has walls a foot thick, and con- 

 tains carcases of sheep, with, I believe, just three of beef. 

 It may well be believed that there is little need at present 

 (latitude 68°) for careful insulation ; indeed, half a dozen car- 

 cases have been preserved by hanging them in the rigging ; 

 alongside some penguins, though the latter are not for food, 

 but consecrate to the taxidermist. Mention has been made 

 of the standard compass — tested by swinging the ship early 

 in the voyage — by which the helmsman's compass and various 

 others on board are verified. In the centre of the ice-house 

 is the range-finder — an historic instrument, which was used 

 on the Scotia in her Antarctic explorations. It will be men- 

 tioned later, when the icebergs are described. 



Merry are the meals we have in the wardroom. Gigantic 

 meals ; four per diem, and one extra if you are on night- 

 watch. Eight o'clock, twelve o'clock, four o'clock tea, and 

 7.30 for dinner. Let me try and give some idea of a dinner, 

 say, on Saturday night. About three-quarters of an hour 

 beforehand the steward, who is dressed, as are the officers, in 

 grey jersey and corduroy trousers, appears with the remark, 

 "Table, sir ! " This is a sign to clear off charts, calculations, 

 diaries, and not unusually novels, from the oilcloth, that he 

 may set the table. If any books are missing after this clear- 

 ance it is safe to examine the " nursery," for our steward has 

 a fixed idea that untidiness is a characteristic of the latter 

 cabin, and so deposits findings on the pianola, whence they 

 may emerge after many days. Tin mugs, bottles of lime- 

 juice, ship's biscuits — either captain's or digestives — butter, 

 and enamel jugs of water are the table furniture. As the bell 

 is jangled the afterguard pour into the wardroom. Four men 

 do not get seats, but if you stand up the range of action is 

 much greater, so that it really compares favourably with a 



