i 9 02] IMPROVED MARCHING CONDITIONS 369 



object of the journey ; but it is perhaps as well to point out 

 wherein it differed from such experiences as I have already 

 described. In summer, of course, there was full daylight ; one 

 lived and slept and ate with the sun circling above the 

 horizon, and the flickering candle formed no part of one's equip- 

 ment. During the night one's boots had reposed near the 

 tent : much of the damp had dried from them, and although 

 they were frozen, there was little difficulty in thawing them — 

 they could be put on and secured neatly whilst the breakfast 

 was being prepared. 



On a fine day in summer the first task is to drag the 

 sleeping-bag out into the open, to turn it inside out and 

 support it facing the sun ; by this means much of the moisture 

 is evaporated out and much forms in tiny crystals on the hair 

 and can be brushed away. Sometimes it is carried on top 

 of the sledge in this way, so that the drying process may con- 

 tinue, but if the weather is unsettled it is thoroughly beaten 

 and turned again before packing. Except during blizzards and 

 cold snaps, this sleeping-bag has become a really pleasant 

 resort. There may be a little ice under each person's body, 

 but the greater part of the material is soft and pliable, and 

 after a hard day's march one snuggles comfortably into its 

 folds and is soon away in dreamland. 



The cooking-things can be handled now without much 

 difficulty, and the ends of one's fingers no longer display a row 

 of horny blisters, though in many places they have dried and 

 split and there are deep cuts about the nails. 



We start on the march without our wind-clothes ; in fact, 

 we rarely wear them now except when it is blowing or snowing. 

 In place of our helmets we now wear a broad-brimmed hat, for 

 the glare of the sun is great, and with its reflection on the 

 white snow it has already burnt us all to a deep chocolate 

 colour ; while at night we wear a simple Balaclava. Soon 

 after the march starts we are perspiring freely ; the labour is 

 very heavy, and we are not sorry to be able to throw open our 

 coat. We scarcely realise that the air is chill until a halt 

 shows it is necessary to button up again. Mits are still slung 

 vol. 1. B B 



