THE HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC 



departure that one of the scientists of the expedition 

 dug out some volumes of the Challenger reports, which 

 had been intended to provide us with useful reading- 

 matter during the winter nights. A question often 

 debated during the long, dark days was which of these 

 stray sheep, the Challenger reports or the case of beer, 

 any particular individual would dig for if the time and 

 opportunity were available. In moving up the recovered 

 stores, as soon as a load arrived within fifteen yards of 

 the hut, where, at this time of the year, the snow ended, 

 and the bare earth lay uncovered, the sledges were un- 

 packed, and one party carried the stuff up to the south 

 side of the hut, whilst the sledges returned to the landing- 

 place for more. We were now utilising the ponies every 

 day, and they proved of great assistance in moving 

 things to and fro. The stores on the top of the hill at 

 Derrick Point were fortunately quite clear of snow, so 

 we did not trouble to transport them, contenting our- 

 selves with getting down things that were of immediate 

 importance. Day by day we continued collecting our 

 scattered goods, and within ten days after the departure 

 of the ship we had practically everything handy to the 

 hut, excepting the coal. The labour had been both 

 heavy and fertile in minor accidents. Most of us at one 

 time or another had wounds and bruises to be attended to 

 by Marshall, who was kept busy part of every day 

 dressing the injuries. Adams was severely cut in 

 handling some iron-bound cases, and I managed to 

 jamb my fingers in the motor-car. The annoying feature 

 about these simple wounds was the length of time it took 

 for them to heal in our special circumstances. The 

 irritation seemed to be more pronounced if any of the 

 earth got into the wound, so we always took care after 

 our first experiences to go at once to Marshall for treat- 

 ment, when the skin was broken. The day after the 



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