we could never decide to our satisfaction.  They began suddenly and without warning.  The whole pack might be lying perfectly still and quiet, when a single individual, who for that occasion had taken upon himself the part of leader of the chorus, would set up a long, blood-curdling yowl.  If they were left to themselves, it was not long before the whole pack joined in, and this infernal din was kept going at full steam for two or three minutes.  The only amusing thing about the entertainment was its conclusion.  They all stopped short at the same instant, just as a well-trained chorus obeys the baton of its conductor.  Those of us, however, who happened to be in our bunks, found nothing at all amusing in these concerts, either in the finale or anything else, for they were calculated to tear the soundest sleeper from his slumbers.  But if one only took care to stop the leader in his efforts the whole affair was nipped in the bud, and we usually succeeded in doing this.  If there were some who at first were anxious about their night’s rest, these fears were soon dispersed.

On leaving Norway we had ninety-seven dogs in all, and of these no less than ten were bitches.  This fact justified us in expecting an increase of the canine population on our voyage to the South, and our expectations were very soon fulfilled.  The first “happy event " occurred when we had been no more than three weeks at sea.  An incident of this kind may seem in itself of no great importance; to us, living under conditions in which one day was almost exactly like another, it was more than enough to be an object of the greatest interest.  Therefore, when the report went round that “Camilla” had got four shapely youngsters, there was general rejoicing.  Two of the pups, who happened to be of the male sex, were allowed to live; the females were sent out of this world long before their eyes were opened to its joys and sorrows.  It might be thought that, seeing we had nearly a hundred grown-up dogs on board, there would be little opportunity for looking after puppies; that this was done, nevertheless, with all the care that could be wished, is due in the first instance to the touching affection of the second in command for the little ones.  From the very first moment he was their avowed protector.  Gradually, as the numbers increased, there was a difficulty in finding room on the already well-occupied deck.  “I’ll take them in my bunk,” said the second in command.  It did not come to that, but if it had been necessary he would certainly have done so.  The example was catching.  Later on, when the little chaps were weaned, and had begun to take other nourishment, one might see regularly, after every meal, one after another of the crew coming on deck with some carefully scraped-up bits of food on his plate; the little hungry mouths were to have what was left over.