THE VOYAGE BACK 



What does it feci like to be in touch with civilization after 

 a year's absence ? Man is an ungrateful creature, and I can 

 remember what we missed, better than what we gained on 

 reaching the Terra Nova. However, the letters were there. 

 They had been put ready for us in the wardroom. No small 

 bag would suffice, our literary matter ran to pillow-slips. I 

 had one well filled, and Debenham, lucky beggar, had two ! 

 Poor Gran's home mail failed to reach him, and he had only 

 a few bills, which he could have spared. I rapidly skimmed 

 through all the news and then opened up the packets. One 

 young soldier friend sent along a huge gift of pipes and 

 tobacco. Said he, " 1 know you didn't smoke, but 1 expect 

 you've learnt to ! Anyhow they'll be useful." They truly 

 were most acceptable, and were most prized by the party 

 remaining. To balance this gift he sent along " The Geology 

 of Nigeria." 



After the first glance through, however, 1 turned to more 

 pressing needs. Clean clothes and a bath seemed the greatest 

 treat one could wish to enjoy. 



Two factors blocked us. All our clean clothes were on 

 land, some in our own hut, some in the Old Discovery Hut ! 

 Moreover, Ponting came along and after complimenting us 

 on our villainous appearance, begged us to remain picturesque 

 until the sun showed enough light for a photograph ! 

 Luckily we had only to wait a few hours for this specimen 

 of " ponting " ; and after four months a day's more or less 

 grime mattered little. 



One disappointment we met with. Our first cry was 

 " Letters," and our second " Fruit." Drake sympathized 

 with us and said that all fruit except apples had been landed 

 at the hut a week ago. However a box of apples had been 



4^5 



