Watson and
Kennedy, and succeeded in bringing off the dogs. Several trips were made
with difficulty during the day, but at last all the men, dogs and sheep
were brought off.

Both Wild and I went with the whale-boat on its last trip at dusk on the
evening of December 23. The only possible landing-place, with the sea
then running, was at the extreme north-eastern corner of the beach. No
time was lost in getting the men and the remainder of the cargo into
the boat, though in the darkness this was not easily managed. The final
parting with our Macquarie Island party took place on the beach, their
cheers echoing to ours as we breasted the surf and "gave way" for the
ship.

CHAPTER III FROM MACQUARIE ISLAND TO ADELIE LAND

The morning following our farewell to Ainsworth and party at the north
end of the island found us steaming down the west coast, southward
bound.

Our supply of fresh water was scanty, and the only resource was to
touch at Caroline Cove. As a matter of fact, there were several suitable
localities on the east coast, but the strong easterly weather then
prevailing made a landing impossible.

On the ship nearing the south end, the wind subsided. She then crept
into the lee of the cliffs, a boat was dropped and soundings disclosed a
deep passage at the mouth of Caroline Cove and ample water within.
There was, however, limited space for manoeuvring the vessel if a change
should occur in the direction of the wind. The risk was taken; the
'Aurora' felt her way in, and, to provide against accident, was anchored
by Captain Davis with her bow toward the entrance. Wild then ran out a
kedge anchor to secure the stern.

During the cruise down the coast the missing stock of our only anchor
had been replaced by Gillies and Hannam. Two oregon "dead men", bolted
together on the shank, made a clumsy but efficient makeshift.

Two large barrels were taken ashore, repeatedly filled and towed off
to the ship. It was difficult at first to find good water, for the main
stream flowing down from the head of the bay was contaminated by the
penguins which made it their highway to a rookery. After a search, an
almost dry gulley bed was found to yield water when a pit was dug in its
bed. This spot was some eighty yards from the beach and to reach it one
traversed an area of tussocks between which sea elephants wallowed in
soft mire.

A cordon of men was made and buckets were interchanged, the full ones
descending and t