growth of a snake-like form of kelp,
whose octopus-like tentacles, many yards in length, writhed yellow
and brown to the swing of the surge, and gave the foreground an
indescribable weirdness. I stood looking out to sea from here one
evening, soon after sunset, the launch lazily rolling in the swell, and
the 'Aurora' in the offing, while the rich tints of the afterglow paled
in the south-west.

I envied Wild and his party, whose occupation in connexion with the
"flying fox" kept them permanently camped at this spot.

The 'Toroa' made her appearance on the afternoon of December 13, and
came to anchor about half a mile inside the 'Aurora'. Her departure had
been delayed by the bad weather. Leaving Hobart late on December 7, she
had anchored off Bruni Island awaiting the moderation of the sea. The
journey was resumed on the morning of the 9th, and the passage made in
fine weather. She proved a handy craft for work of the kind, and Captain
Holliman, the master, was well used to the dangers of uncharted coastal
waters.

Within a few minutes of her arrival, a five-ton motor-boat of shallow
draught was launched and unloading commenced.

Those of the staff arriving by the 'Toroa' were housed ashore with the
sealers, as, when everybody was on board, the 'Aurora' was uncomfortably
congested. Fifty sheep were taken on shore to feed on the rank grass
until our departure. A large part of the cargo consisted of coal for the
'Aurora'. This was already partly bagged, and in that form was loaded
into the launches and whale-boats; the former towing the latter to their
destination. Thus a continuous stream of coal and stores was passing
from ship to ship, and from the ships to the several landing-places on
shore. As soon as the after-hold on the 'Toroa' was cleared, barrels
of sea elephant oil were brought off in rafts and loaded aft,
simultaneously with the unloading forward.

We kept at the work as long as possible--about sixteen hours a day
including a short interval for lunch. There were twenty-five of the
land party available for general work, and with some assistance from the
ship's crew the work went forward at a rapid rate.

On the morning of the 15th, after giving final instructions to Eitel,
who had come thus far and was returning as arranged, the 'Toroa' weighed
anchor and we parted with a cheer.

The transportation of the wireless equipment to the top of the hill
had been going on simultaneously with the un-loading of