Scott was back in the hut by April 21, having left Meares definite orders that James Pigg and Punch the ponies were not to leave Hut Point for Cape Evans until the entire journey could be made over the sea ice under conditions of absolute safety.  This meant a wait of three weeks to a month before everything suited, and the “Governor of Hut Point” did not come in until the 13th May, when he arrived in pomp and splendour with all the dogs and the two ponies fit and well—­his party, black with soot and blubber, their wind-proof clothing smelly and greasy, a dirty but robust and cheerful gang.

A glance at the accompanying plan shows whereabout we worked.  Starting at the left hand top corner we find Simpson’s laboratory, and we usually found Simpson in it at work, always at work, except when he was engaged in scientific argument or when, just after lunch, he stretched himself out on his bunk at the end of a large cigar!  Simpson was no novice to work in the frigid zones, for he had already wintered within the Arctic circle in northern Norway.  Weather did not worry him much nor apparently did temperatures, for since his investigations midst the snows of the Vikings’ land, Simpson had worked extensively in India.  His enduring good humour and his smiling manner earned for him the sobriquet of Sunny Jim.

In the first year the self-registering instruments that found themselves in Simpson’s corner, or in the small hut which contained his magnetic observatory, gave us an admirable record of temperatures, barometric pressures, wind force and direction, atmospheric electricity, sunshine when the sun did shine, and the elements of terrestrial magnetism.  Thanks to Simpson, we also had investigations of the upper air currents, aurora observations, atmospheric optics, gravity determination and what is more, some fine practical teaching that enabled the various sledging units properly to observe and collect data of meteorological importance.  Simpson’s place was essentially at the base station; and his consequent work as physicist and meteorologist prevented him from taking an active part in our sledge journeys.  When he was recalled to Simla in 1912 his work was ably continued by Wright, our Canadian chemist, who, as I have said elsewhere, accompanied us south to make a special study of ice structure and glaciation.

Wright lived in the bunk above Simpson’s, and when not devoting his energy and magnificent physique to sledging and field work, he gave himself up to the study of ice physics, a somewhat new scientific line of research.  Wright was originally introduced to the Expedition by Griffith Taylor, and Scott, advised by Wilson, was so keen on the inclusion of this young Canadian chemist in our scientific staff that really the study of ice structure and glaciation was made for Wright and his science coined for him.  He photographed ice flowers formed in the sea, he found out how long ice took to freeze down our way, cast aspersions on the bearing capabilities of our beloved sea ice and, generally, brought his intelligence to bear in a way that commanded the approbation of Wilson and our chief.  Wright was one of the strongest members of our Expedition, and he had the most powerful flow of language.  He made some beautiful photographs of ice crystals and surprised the simple sailor like myself with his ability as a navigator and astronomer.