i 9 o2] RETURN OF ROYDS 191 



be two harmless, quiet animals which had recently returned 

 from sledging. 



The fatal mishap which had attended the main portion of 

 our first sledge party left us in some anxiety for the remaining 

 members who were still absent. We knew them to be ill 

 provided for very severe conditions, and saw already that 

 sledging in the Antarctic was not a thing to be approached in 

 a light-hearted, irresponsible spirit, but was one which called 

 for great care, attention, and forethought. Our anxiety for the 

 absentees was not lessened when we saw Skelton descending 

 the hills alone on the 19th. However, when he was safely on 

 board we learnt that he was only a forerunner, and that the 

 others were close behind ; and soon they appeared, and in turn 

 were ferried off to the ship. There was much to be learnt on 

 both sides : it was for us to tell the sad tale of the recent 

 disaster, and for them to set forth the incidents and difficulties 

 of their attempt to reach the Record cairn. Royds' report was 

 so laconic that extracts from it may well convey an idea of the 

 troubles which beset the inexperienced sledge traveller : 



' March 4.— ... On the summit " Nigger " bit f Gus " 

 so badly through the mouth that I had to send the latter 

 back. . . . 6.0. Stopped for tea, erected two tents; Barne's 

 ear frost-bitten, several men had cramp in left leg, myself very 

 bad. ... On starting again Vince and I had frost-bites under 

 the nose. Dogs pulled well ; some fights and a little trouble ; 

 "Boss" ran away. 8.15. Camped. Dogs wouldn't eat any- 

 thing ; one sledging lamp broken — a great nuisance, as now one 

 lamp has to cook for six men. Cramp prevalent amongst all 

 hands. 



' March 5. — Very heavy going. Quartley's foot giving much 

 pain. Got up tent and had it examined. Not frost-bitten, but 

 intensely cold ; made him wear fur boots. . . . Several dogs 

 got bleeding feet ; snow getting heavier ; all hands perspiring 

 very much, feet sinking 9 inches to 1 foot at every step. . . . 

 5.45. Men completely " cooked," dogs tired out ; so camped. 



' March 6. — . . . Snow getting thicker and softer, and 

 steered towards the land hoping for better conditions. . . 



