BATHYBIA 



FAINT stirring seemed to be going 

 on about, which gradually made 

 itself felt on my yet somnolent 

 senses* Rising-'time was evidently 

 drawing nigh. The uncertainty 

 shortly came to an end when, in harsh tones, 

 the familiar call sounded : ** Lash up and stow, 

 lash up and stow; 8.30, and time all hands 

 were up/' This announcement, coming as it 

 did from a pair of lungs boasting of an early 

 training in St. Paul's Cathedral, and matured 

 in the Navy, was calculated to wake effectually 

 the profoundest slumberer, but did not prevent 

 me turning over for a final doze. ^ It hardly 

 seemed any time, however, before we were 

 exerting our best efforts dragging the sledges 

 onwards towards the Southern goal. The 

 drudgery of the journey over the great 

 '^sastrugi'' ruffled plateau of Victoria Land 

 had now become felt by all. Everlastingly our 

 eyes wandered over the horizon in search of new 

 objects, but as yet nothing greeted our gaze 

 more than had been the bane of our march these 

 last two hundred and fifty miles, since leaving 

 Mount Lister behind. ^Why we had ever 

 come to choose our present route to the South — 



29 



