THE HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC 



and it entirely depends on good workmanship and 

 sailor-like lashings whether, on the strain being 

 removed, the sledge returns to its normal shape or is 

 permanently distorted. Two long runners or bearers, 

 about an inch square, rested on the uprights, and cross- 

 pieces projecting the whole length of the sledge and 

 fastened by extra strong marlin lashings, covered 

 with leather to protect them from the charing of the 

 equipment stowed on top, formed a sort of platform 

 on which the stores were placed. The fore end of the 

 sledge had a bow of wood, forming practically a semi- 

 circle, the two ends being fastened to the slightly 

 upturned ends of the runners. The upper bearers 

 were pressed down, and also lashed to this bow. This 

 upturning at the forward end of the sledge allowed 

 for the meeting of unequal surfaces, and the shape 

 of the bow was intended to prevent the ends of the 

 sledge being driven into snow or ice obstructions. 

 The rear end of the sledge was also slightly turned up, 

 and the top bearers bent down and lashed to the bare 

 ends. Of course, a bow was not necessary at that end. 

 At each end of the sledge, made fast round the first 

 two uprights and the last two on both sides, were two 

 pieces of Alpine rope, which combines strength with 

 lightness. The bight of this rope was formed into a 

 becket, and by this means a toggle attached to the 

 sledge harness could be readily put in. When sledges 

 are running in line, one behind the other, particular 

 care has to be taken with these ropes, so that the tracks 

 of the second sledge coincide with the first. By doing 

 this the amount of friction on the runners of the second 

 sledge is greatly reduced, for the forward sledge does 

 practically all the work of breaking the trail, and the 

 following ones run lightly over the made track. An 

 eleven-foot sledge, fully loaded, is at its best working 



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