SOUTII 
meiit/' he adds, was old at the commencement of the season, 
and this told severely at the later stages of the journey. Three 
Primus lamps gave out on the journeys, and the old tent brought 
back by one of the last parties showed rents several feet in 
length. This hampered the travelling in the long bli^:zards. 
Finneskoe were also iu pieces at the end, and time had fre- 
quently to be lost through repairs to clothing becoming impera- 
tive. This account Avould not be complete without some 
mention of the unselfish service rendered by Wild to his two 
ill tent- mates. From the time he remained behind at the long 
blizzard till the death of Spencer-Smith he had two helpless 
men to attend to, and despite his own condition he was ever 
ready, night or day, to minister to their wants. This, in a 
temperature of — 30'^ Fahr. at times, was no light task. 
Without the aid of fom' faithful friends, Oscar, Con, 
Gunner, and Towser, the party could never have arrived back. 
These dogs from November 5 accompanied the sledging parties, 
and, although the pace was often very slow, they adapted 
themselves well to it. Their endurance was fine. For three 
whole days at one time they had not a scrap of food, and this 
after a period on short rations. Though they were feeble 
towards the end of the trip, their condition usually was good, 
and those who returned with them will CA^er remember the 
remarkable service they rendered. 
" The first indication of anything wrong with the general 
health of the party occurred at about lat. 82^^ 30' S., when 
Spencer-Smith complained of stiffness in the legs and discolora- 
tion. He attributed this to holes in his windproof clothing. 
At lat. 83° S., when he gave way, it was thought that the rest 
would do him good. About the end of January Captain 
Mackintosh showed very serious signs of lameness. At this 
time his party had been absent from Hut Point, and conse- 
quently from fresh food, about three months. 
" On the journey back Spencer-Smith gradually became 
weaker, and for some time before the end was in a very weak 
condition indeed. Captain Mackintosh, by great efforts, man- 
aged to keep his feet until the long blizzard was encountered. 
Here it was that Hay ward was first found to be affected with 
298 
