’We have made a systematic study of the ice also, both the bergs and sea ice, and have got a good deal of useful information concerning it.  Also Pennell has done a little magnetic work.

’But of course this slight list of activity in the cause of science is a very poor showing for the time of our numerous experts; many have had to be idle in regard to their own specialities, though none are idle otherwise.  All the scientific people keep night watch when they have no special work to do, and I have never seen a party of men so anxious to be doing work or so cheerful in doing it.  When there is anything to be done, such as making or shortening sail, digging ice from floes for the water supply, or heaving up the sounding line, it goes without saying that all the afterguard turn out to do it.  There is no hesitation and no distinction.  It will be the same when it comes to landing stores or doing any other hard manual labour.

’The spirit of the enterprise is as bright as ever.  Every one strives to help every one else, and not a word of complaint or anger has been heard on board.  The inner life of our small community is very pleasant to think upon and very wonderful considering the extremely small space in which we are confined.

’The attitude of the men is equally worthy of admiration.  In the forecastle as in the wardroom there is a rush to be first when work is to be done, and the same desire to sacrifice selfish consideration to the success of the expedition.  It is very good to be able to write in such high praise of one’s companions, and I feel that the possession of such support ought to ensure success.  Fortune would be in a hard mood indeed if it allowed such a combination of knowledge, experience, ability, and enthusiasm to achieve nothing.’

CHAPTER III

Land

Saturday, December 31. New Year’s Eve.—­Obs. 72 deg. 54’ S., 174 deg. 55’ E. Made good S. 45 W. 55’; C. Crozier S. 17 W. 286’.—­’The New Year’s Eve found us in the Ross Sea, but not at the end of our misfortunes.’  We had a horrible night.  In the first watch we kept away 2 points and set fore and aft sail.  It did not increase our comfort but gave us greater speed.  The night dragged slowly through.  I could not sleep thinking of the sore strait for our wretched ponies.  In the morning watch the wind and sea increased and the outlook was very distressing, but at six ice was sighted ahead.  Under ordinary conditions the safe course would have been to go about and stand to the east.  But in our case we must risk trouble to get smoother water for the ponies.  We passed a stream of ice over which the sea was breaking heavily and one realised the danger of being amongst loose floes in such a sea.  But soon we came to a compacter body of floes, and running behind this we were agreeably surprised to find comparatively smooth water.  We ran on for a bit, then stopped and lay to.  Now we are lying in a sort of ice bay—­there is a mile or so of pack to windward, and two horns which form the bay embracing us.  The sea is damped down to a gentle swell, although the wind is as strong as ever.  As a result we are lying very comfortably.  The ice is drifting a little faster than the ship so that we have occasionally to steam slowly to leeward.