IN WINTER QUARTERS WITH CAPTAIN SCOTT 



After our return from the summer's sledging a new phase of 

 Antarctic life began. For the next seven months we were 

 practically confined to Cape Evans, and often to the hut 

 itself. 



During our " habitation enforced " it was rare for any man 

 to be addressed by the name inherited from his parents or 

 chosen by his godfathers and godmothers ! The nicknames 

 of the fifteen of the afterguard had by this time become 

 standardized, and I think merit a little attention. 



Captain Scott was invariably known as The Owner, a 

 naval term always applied to the captain of a warship. Dr. 

 Wilson (baptized Edward Adrian) was always known as 

 Bill. Doctor Bill at first, Uncle Bill later, as one grew to 

 rely on him more and more. Lieutenant Evans had four 

 pre-initials, but was always called Teddy, which eminently 

 suited his cheery frame of mind. Dr. Simpson was early 

 caricatured as Sunny Jim by Lillie, and soon every one, in- 

 cluding our leader, called him nothing else. Captain Oates 

 was Titus to all of us, except to Bowers, who called him 

 Farmer Hayseed, while Captain Scott usually referred to him 

 as Soldier. Ponting was Ponko, and his chief aim in life 

 (to get us to pose for him in all sorts of uncomfortable 

 places) is perpetuated in the verb <{ to pont." Nelson was 

 Bronte naturally, and more obscurely Marie from some 

 theatrical star met with in his varied career. Bowers was 

 Birdie, from his outstanding features and Titian crest. 

 Atkinson was shortened to Atch, or at times Jane. We were 

 short of female society — which lack also accounts for Jessie 

 Debenham as an alternative to Deb. Cherry-Garrard was 

 always Cherry — though an affectionate variation was Cheery 

 Blackguard, while the seamen — baulking at the hyphen — 

 called him Mr. Gerard ! Our Canadian Imperialist, Charles 



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