SOUTH 
terraces dotted witli frozen pools and drained by two small 
streams. Our cave was a recess in the cliff on the left-hand 
end of the beach. The rocky face of the cliff was undercut at 
this point, and the shingle thrown up by the waves formed a 
steep slope, which we reduced to about one in six by scraping 
the stones away from the inside. Later we strewed the rough 
floor with the dead, nearly dry underleaves of the tussock-grass, 
so as to form a slightly soft bed for our sleeping-bags. Water 
had trickled down the face of the cliff and formed long icicles, 
which hung down in front of the cave to the length of about 
fifteen feet. These icicles provided shelter, and when we had 
spread oiu sails below them, with the assistance of oars, we 
had quarters that, in the circumstances, had to be regarded as 
reasonably comfortable. The camp at least was dry, and we 
moved our gear there with confidence. We built a fireplace 
and arranged our sleeping-bags and blankets around it. The 
cave was about 8 ft. deep and 12 ft. wide at the entrance. 
While the camp was being arranged Crean and I climbed 
the tussock slope behind the beach and reached the top of a 
headland overlooking the sound. There we found the nests 
of albatrosses, and, much to our delight, the nests contained 
yoimg birds. The fledgelings were fat and lusty, and we had 
no hesitation about deciding that they were destined to die at 
an early age. Our most pressing anxiety at this stage was 
a shortage of fuel for the cooker. We had rations for ten more 
days, and Ave knew now that we could get birds for food ; but 
if we were to have hot meals we must secure fuel. The store 
of petroleum carried in the boat was running very low, and it 
seemed necessary to keep some quantity for use on the overland 
journey that lay ahead of us. A sea-elephant or a seal would 
have provided fuel as well as food, but we could see none in the 
neighbourhood. During the morning we started a fire in the 
cave with wood from the top-sides of the boat, and though 
the dense smoke from the damp sticlcs inflamed our tired eyes, 
the warmth and the prospect of hot food were ample compen- 
sation. Crean was cook that day, and I suggested to him that 
he should wear his goggles, which he happened to have brought 
with him. The goggles helped him a great deal as he bent 
184 
