66 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



clever caricatures of the afterguard, each of which arouses 

 uproarious merriment in every member save one. Drake is 

 busy transcribing the ship's logs, both general and meteoro- 

 logical, and usually manages to annex a large portion of the 

 wardroom table in the process. Alongside him Dr. Simpson 

 works out his interminable magnetic observations. Lieutenant 

 Gran, our Norwegian companion, is busy getting the ski from 

 the forehold and supplying them with the necessary straps. 

 On the poop Meares discourses of dog-harness in a weird 

 sounding language to the Russian grooms. Cherry-Gerrard 

 is skinning penguins and wrapping the skins neatly in brown 

 paper. The carcases are handed over to the cook and appear 

 as a pilau at dinner. Day is busy with chamois leather, 

 coloured glasses and a cutting board, manufacturing spare 

 snow-goggles. His articles are in much request, for they are 

 more comfortable than the official pattern. Lieutenant 

 Pennell is in the crow's nest, peering ahead to pick out a 

 possible lane through the thick floe. 



In the port after-cabin are held the mysterious consultations 

 of the officers of the Eastern Party. It is rumoured that there 

 is a capacious private store in which all unclaimed articles are 

 deposited for their future benefit. But this is only a base 

 libel, aroused by the orderly character of Lieutenant Campbell. 

 Priestley's previous experience is invaluable to the party. In 

 the foc'sle Major Oates and Dr. Atkinson are examining the 

 ponies, all of which are doing very well since the gale. Ponting 

 selects choice compositions for pictorial photography, and com- 

 mandeers idle officers to lend life to his studies by disposing 

 themselves gracefully in the rigging. Debenham is profiting by 

 Dr. Wilson's hints, and fulfilling his duties as honorary illustrator 

 to the iceberg watch. Wright is still engaged on his huge 

 ice microscope, endeavouring to cut down its ample propor- 

 tions in readiness for our forthcoming western expedition. 

 From the "Nursery" come the dulcet tones of the pianola, 

 under the soulful touch of Lieutenant Rennick. The other 

 officers are on watch, or perhaps enjoying a well-earned snooze 

 in their respective cabins. 



There are many features of interest which we can study 

 during our enforced stay in the pack, in addition to the fauna. 

 We have been able to obtain some half-dozen soundings in 

 this portion of the Southern Ocean, and to make current 



