360 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Sept. 



not to appreciate the humorous side of the situation, and we 

 have often paused in the midst of our trying labours to indulge 

 in a real hearty laugh. 



Heaven help the man who had failed in caution on the 

 previous night ! At first, from want of experience, and later 

 from carelessness or by accident, a boot would be found in 

 the morning squeezed flat and frozen hard in that impossible 

 shape. There was nothing for the owner to do but to thaw 

 it into shape with his foot, which had to be withdrawn at 

 intervals and rubbed violently to restore the circulation. The 

 least time in which one could hope to cope with a boot of 

 this description was half an hour. 



By this time all have their foot-gear on, and have re- 

 adjusted all their clothes ready for the march. Considerably 

 over two hours have elapsed since we roused out of the sleep- 

 ing-bag. When all is ready comes the order, ' Pack up.' Out 

 tumble all the thickly clad figures ; lamps, cookers, and sleep- 

 ing-bags are bundled into their proper places on the sledges, 

 the snow is shovelled off the tent, and the latter is whisked off 

 its poles, shaken, and folded up ; the floorcloth is rolled up 

 or secured to a bamboo to serve as a sail. All these articles 

 are soon piled on the sledges and securely strapped down ; 

 the camp has disappeared as though by magic, and all that is 

 left to mark the spot is the weird circles of snow-blocks which 

 held the tents. 



The warming effect of breakfast has long since vanished, 

 and now all is eagerness to be on the march. The harness is 

 soon picked up from the snow and adjusted about the body ; 

 then, with a final look to see that nothing has been left behind, 

 we bend to the traces and the leader says, ' Off.' 



There is rarely much conversation on the march, especially 

 n cold weather ; and, starting with a quick, warming step, it is 

 not long before we have fallen into our regular stride — that 

 steady rhythmic plod before which the miles come slowly but 

 surely. In half an hour's time the blood is flowing freely, 

 garments are hanging more easily, and our boots have thawed 

 sufficiently to give to the step. A halt is called to tighten up 



