FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
As we warped through the clock gates the last of the 
crew bade good-bye to their wives and children, hardened 
their hearts, and tumbled on board, leaving many a kind 
face wet with tears, but smiling hope and encouragement; 
then we swung out into the stream, and the men came aft 
to the taffrail and mizzen-shrouds and shouted a hoarse 
farewell to the distant crowd on the pierhead, and a faint 
* Hoorae, hoorae, hoorae ! ' came back over the calm, 
silvery Tay. Then all hands bundled away forward 
again, shouting and singing, dived down the focsle-hatch, 
threw off their shore togs and shore cares, had one last 
pull at the bottle, and were up on deck in a minute, 
drunk and glorious, ready to go to the world's end or 
beyond it — a jolly, motley crowd, not two dressed alike, in 
dungaree suits of every shade of blue and green, in faded 
jerseys and red handkerchiefs. Men and boys there were 
of every sailor type : old Arctic whalers, red cheeked and 
bearded ; tanned South Spainers with shaven chins and 
