THE NEW YEAR, iSgs ■. 51 



passed under the middle of the portable forge, which was 

 thus endangered, and it was therefore put on a sledge and 

 removed to the great hummock on the starboard quarter. 

 The pemmican — altogether 1 1 cases — the cases of dog- 

 biscuits, and 19 cases of bread were conveyed to the 

 same place. Thus we have now a complete depot lying 

 over there, and, I trust, in entire safety, the ice being so 

 thick that it is not likely to give way. This has brought 

 life into the lads ; they have all turned out. We took out 

 4 more tin cans of petroleum to the hummock, then pro- 

 ceeded to bring up from the hold and place on deck 

 ready for removal 21 cases of bread, and a supply of pem- 

 mican, chocolate, butter, 'vril-food,' soup, etc., calculated 

 to last us 200 days. Also tents, cooking apparatus, and 

 the like, were got ready, so that now all is clear up there, 

 and we may sleep securely ; but it was past midnight be- 

 fore we had done. I still trust that it is all a false alarm, 

 and that we shall have no occasion for these supplies 

 now, at any rate ; nevertheless, it is our duty to keep 

 everything ready in case the unthinkable should happen. 

 Moreover, the watch has been enjoined to mind the dogs 

 on the ice and to keep a sharp lookout in case the ice 

 should crack underneath our cases or the ice-pressure 

 should recommence ; if an)'thing should happen we are 

 to be called out at once, too early rather than too late. 

 While I sit here and write I hear the crunching and 

 crackling beginning again outside, so that there must still 

 be a steady pressure on the ice. All are in the best 



