106 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
hold one. The petrels had landed in November, and their 
young in April formed a capital addition to our food. It 
was now decided that I should remain at the top to secure a 
supply of pig’s fat sufficient for the winter, whilst my brother 
lived below, and collected in a barrel the fat thrown down to 
him by me. After killing a pig, the hide with the fat 
attached was rolled up, secured by pieces of hide, and thrown 
over the cliff. The want of salt prevented us salting down 
the meat. Tobacco now failed us, and its want was much 
felt, both of us being heavy smokers. 
My brother, on separating from me to live below, had 
taken three young pigs which we had managed to catch, by 
running them down. Secured to our barrel they were towed 
round the point and safely landed, although nearly drowned 
en route. These were placed in an inclosure and carefully 
tended,* being kept for a possible dearth during winter. 
The pigs being small, it was possible, by means of a rope, to 
lower them down the most difficult places, and carry them 
down the easier ones. My sojourn on the top of the island 
came to an end with the last days of April. Returning to 
my brother, we lived on petrels and potatoes until the end 
of May. A supply of two live pigs which I had brought 
down with me met a watery grave in my endeavour to 
weather the point with them in tow. I was fortunate enough, 
notwithstanding the surf, to get ashore without serious 
injury. 
Finding the supply of potatoes insufficient for the winter, 
on 8th June I again visited the top of the island, remaining 
there until the 18th August. Before parting company from 
my brother, we decided to shift quarters for the winter a 
little farther from the waterfall, and succeeded in building 
a house, which stood during the bad weather, and in which 
we were living until quitting the island. 
* The pigs were fed on grass and green stuff generally, and penguin 
eggs when in season. 
