FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 31 
took off oilskins and sea-boots, and hope grew strong 
within us. 
Nicholas, our steward, ventured to hold a 'shoppie' on 
the strength of the lull ; and the t shoppie ' is a great 
function on board a sailing ship. The lamp is lit in the 
cabin, and Nick unpacks bundles of sea-boots, dungarees, 
jerseys, socks, caps, red handkerchiefs, and all things of a 
seaman's wardrobe. 
■ 
and cabin, and the first man buys what he needs — boots 
or jerseys, or what things else he has not been able 
to. buy out of the pay he received in advance when he 
signed articles. Probably he has brought but little with 
him beyond his mattress of chaff and the clothes he stood 
in, not having great capital to invest in these things. If 
an able-bodied seaman, he probably received some four 
