CHAPTER IX 
THE BOAT JOURNEY 
The increasing sea made it necessary for us to drag the boats 
farther up the beach. This was a task for all hands, and 
after much labour we got the boats into safe positions among 
the rocks and made fast the painters to big boulders. Then I 
discussed with Wild and Worsley the chances of reaching 
South Georgia before the winter locked the seas against us. 
Some effort had to be made to seciu-e relief. Privation and 
exposure had left their mark on the party, and the health and 
mental condition of several men were causing me serious anxiety. 
Blackborrow's feet, wdiich had been frost-bitten during the boat 
jom-ney, were in a bad way, and the two doctors feared that 
an operation would be necessary. They told me that the toes 
would have to be amputated unless animation could be restored 
within a short period. Then the food-supply was a vital 
consideration. We had left ten cases of provisions in the 
crevice of the rocks at our first camping-place on the island. 
An examination of our stores showed that we had full rations 
for the whole party for a period of five weeks. The rations 
could be spread over three months on a reduced allowance and 
probably would be supplemented by seals and sea-elephants to 
some extent. I did not dare to count with full confidence on 
supplies of meat and blubber, for the animals seemed to have 
deserted the beach and the winter was near. Our stocks included 
three seals and two and a half skins (with blubber attached). 
We were mainly dependent on the blubber for fuel, and, after 
making a preHminary survey of the situation, I decided that 
the party must be limited to one hot meal a day. 
A boat journey in search of relief was necessary and must 
not be delayed. That conclusion was forced upon me. The 
nearest port where assistance could certainly be secured was 
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