302 
FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
Monday, 2yd. — Got away from the ship early. Fog 
came down in the afternoon, and we took our bearings by 
compass. Then the fog came down very thick, with wind 
and snow, and we had a long row hunting for the ship, 
and when at last we picked her up by good luck, we could 
see the signal for our return flying apeak ! The other 
boats were still out, but they all found the ship by half- 
past six. 
Sunday > 29th. — Same position as on 1st January. We 
have now on board 4800 seals, killed in twenty-eight days. 
Our decks are piled with their skins and blubber, high 
above the rail — a gory heap weighing more than 100 tons. 
There is fear lest the decks strain and the hatches burst. 
Last night the sky cleared up for a blow, and this 
morning the wind has risen to a strong gale from the 
south. All five ships are in sight steering full speed 
amongst the loose pack, against the gale, and scarcely 
making steering-way. We have reached the shelter of the 
pack edge and three large bergs, so the sea is smooth, 
fortunately for us in our present state. 
There will be no more sealing for some days, till we 
get all these skins on deck ' made off/ We are heartily 
glad that we have nearly got a full ship, for every one is 
dead-tired. As for myself, I feel as if I had been flayed. 
The first week brought me into good training, but the 
after work has run us all down. The sudden changes 
of temperature are trying. In the morning we go out 
thickly clad and get steaming hot with working in the 
strong sunlight, and by evening we are stamping our wet 
