CHAPTEK XXXI. 



IN WINTER QUARTEKS. 



THERE was so much to be done this autumn that the time was not 

 long enough for us ; while for the winter we had planned such a 

 countless number of things that it was necessary to get through 

 the autumn work as quickly as possible. 



After the apparatus for tidal measurement had been set up, as 

 in Eice Strait the previous year, there was still some coaling to be 

 done, and a restowing of the provisions. A quantity of coal was 

 still in the hold, which it was necessary to get away and into the 

 bunkers, so as to make, the place a little more trim. So one day 

 all hands set to work ; the coal was hauled up in the 'tween decks 

 in buckets, carried aft, and the bunkers filled with it. 



When all this had been successfully accomplished, the mate, 

 Hassel, and Peder set to work to put the provisions in order, and 

 restow them. The mate, in doing this, accidentally trod on a rusty 

 nail, which penetrated his foot. The wound became inflamed, a"nd 

 he was laid up for several days, but it soon yielded to carbolic 

 bandages. 



By November 30, we had very nearly completed all the outside 

 work, and could begin to equip for the big sledge -journey in the 

 spring. We had found by experience that a good many im- 

 provements were necessary in our equipment, both as regards 

 sledges, tents, sleeping-bags, and cooking apparatus. 



There was hardly a thing in connection with the equipment of 

 the sledge- expeditions that I did not find could be made just a little 

 better than it was before ; and yet my sledge equipment, when we 

 left home, was considered to be on a par with that of any previous 

 expedition. One learns as long as one lives, it is said, and 



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