fashion, and Lieutenant Armitage giving out the news that Captain Scott had got to 82° 17´ S. We went wild that day.  But now our homecoming is quite different.  Hut half-full of snow through a window being left open and drift getting in; but we soon got it shipshape and Hayward in.  I had the fire going and plenty of vegetables on, as there was a fair supply of dried vegetables.  Then after we had had a feed, Richards and Wild went down the bay and killed a couple of seals.  I gave a good menu of seal meat at night, and we turned in about 11 o’clock, full—­too full, in fact.  As there is no news here of the ship, and we cannot see her, we surmise she has gone down with all hands.  I cannot see there is any chance of her being afloat or she would be here.  I don’t know how the Skipper will take it.

“March 12, Sunday.—­Heard groans proceeding from the sleeping-bags all night; all hands suffering from over-eating.  Hayward not very well.  Turned out 8 o’clock.  Good breakfast—­porridge, seal, vegetables, and coffee; more like a banquet to us.  After breakfast Richards and Wild killed a couple of seals whilst I made the hut a bit comfy.  Hayward can hardly move.  All of us in a very bad state, but we must keep up exercise.  My ankles and knees badly swollen, gums prominent.  Wild, very black around joints, and gums very black.  Richards about the best off.  After digging hut out I prepared food which I think will keep the scurvy down.  The dogs have lost their lassitude and are quite frisky, except Oscar, who is suffering from over-feeding.  After a strenuous day’s work turned in 10 o’clock.

“March 13, Monday.—­Turned out 7 o’clock.  Carried on much the same as yesterday, bringing in seal blubber and meat.  Preparing for departure to-morrow; hope every one will be all right.  Made new dog harness and prepared sledges.  In afternoon cooked sufficient seal meat for our journey out and back, and same for dogs.  Turned in 10 o’clock, feeling much better.

“March 14, Tuesday.—­A beautiful day.  Under way after lunch.  One would think, looking at our party, that we were the most ragged lot one could meet in a day’s march; all our clothes past mending, our faces as black as niggers’—­a sort of crowd one would run away from.  Going pretty good.  As soon as we rounded Cape Armitage a dead head wind with a temperature of -18° Fahr., so we are not in for a pleasant time.  Arrived at Safety Camp 6 o’clock, turned in 8.30, after getting everything ready.

“March 15, Wednesday.—­Under way as usual.  Nice calm day.  Had a very cold night, temperature going down to -30° Fahr.  Going along at a rattling good rate; in spite of our swollen limbs we did about fifteen miles.  Very cold when we camped; temperature -20° Fahr.  Turned in 9 o’clock.