PREFACE 
late sandy spit of Elephant Island, where under their shelter 
twenty-two of my comrades eked out a bare existence for 
four and a half months. 
The James Caird is now in Liverpool, having been brought 
home from South Georgia after her adventm'ous voyage across 
the sub-Antarctic ocean. 
Most of the Public Schools of England and Scotland helped 
the Expedition to purchase the dog teams, and I named a dog 
after each school that helped. But apart from these particular 
donations I again thank the many people who assisted us. 
So the equipment and organization went on. I purchased 
the Aurora from Sir Douglas Mawson, and arranged for Mackin- 
tosh to go to Australia and take charge of her, there sending 
sledges, equipment, and most of the stores from this side, but 
depending somewhat on the sympathy and help of Australia 
and New Zealand for coal and certain other necessities, knowing 
that previously these two comitries had always generously 
supported the exploration of what one might call their hinter- 
land. 
Towards the end of July all was ready, when suddenly the 
war clouds darkened over Europe. 
It had been arranged for the Endurance to proceed to Cowes, 
to be inspected by His Majesty on the Monday of Cowes week. 
But on Friday I received a message to say that the King would 
not be able to go to CoAves. My readers will remember how 
suddenly came the menace of war. Naturally both my com- 
rades and I were greatly exercised as to the probable outcome 
of the danger threatening the peace of the world. 
We sailed from London on Friday, August 1, 1914, and 
anchored off Southend all Saturday. On Sunday afternoon I 
took the ship off Margate, growing hourly more anxious as the 
ever-increasing rumours spread; and on Monday morning I 
went ashore and read in the morning paper the order for general 
mobilization. 
I immediately went on board and mustered all hands and 
told them that I proposed to send a telegram to the Admiralty 
offering the ships, stores, and, if they agreed, our own services 
to the country in the event of war breaking out. All hands 
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