268 WITH SCOTT : THE SILVER LINING 



though slippery. I came one cropper through not seeing a 

 drop of two feet down a snow ridge. As I walked up the 

 next snow slope, it gave out an octave — the notes descending 

 the scale ! I could just see Tent Island, but could not make 

 out the edge of the cliff close by. It was so calm that I 

 walked part way back without a helmet. I came another 

 cropper, hurting my shin and elbow and so to the hut. 



" On my return, I found them draping the hut with sledge 

 flags. My ' blood-stained banner ' and Debenham's (both made 

 by my sister) were hung over the table. Atkinson and Birdie 

 made their own flags. (Atch has a black tree on a white silk 

 flag.) Ponting and Oates have none. 



" Then we had dinner, while Ponting manoeuvred the 

 cameras to get a photo. He moved away all nearer than I 

 was, so I was left in the foreground, and unfortunately prac- 

 tically spoilt the picture ! For I meekly cast my eyes down 

 as the flash went off, and am obviously blind drunk ! They 

 don't know that I only had a quarter-glass of awful lime-juice, 

 while the others had champagne ! 



" Then speeches began. The Owner made a ripping 

 speech, pointing out that we'd done half the time, and must 

 realize that we could only do about as much more. Dr. 

 Simpson wished health to the southern party, and we who 

 were going west drank it with him. I arose with an apology 

 for saying, 'Captain Scott, Gentlemen, and NoN-scientists.' 

 This dig at Oates, Birdie, and Co. brought down the house, 

 for they have occasionally opened by saying, * Captain Scott, 

 Scientists, and Gentlemen.' Atkinson and Wright failed 

 lamentably, except that Charles said (a la the discussions), 

 ' 1 have no remarks to make, sir, in addition to those stated,' 

 while Atch said, ' I endorse that.' Debenham discussed the 

 colonial representation on the expedition. Cherry reminded 

 us of the home folks drinking our healths. 



" Birdie had moved off to the foot of the table, and said 

 he couldn't make a funny speech, so he was going to show us 

 something funny. Therewith entered four of the seamen with 

 a unique Christmas tree. 



" It was built of a ski-stick draped with bunting, with 

 penguin-feather foliage, hung over with candles and candied 

 fruit. The gifts were from Mrs. Wilson's sister, and were 

 perfect. Birdie's distribution was magnificent. 



