ward from the Hut, a complete observation for
position and magnetic azimuth was taken.

The coastal slopes were fearfully broken and scaured in their descent to
the sea, which was frozen out to the horizon. No islands were observed
or anything which could correspond with the land marked by Wilkes as
existing so much farther to the north. Patches of "water sky" were
visible in two places in the far distance. As we stood looking north
a Wilson petrel suddenly appeared and after flitting about for a short
time departed.

We returned to the crevasse and packed the remaining sledge, discarding
everything unnecessary so as to reduce the weight of the load. A thin
soup was made by boiling up all the old food-bags which could be found.
The dogs were given some worn-out fur mitts, finnesko and several spare
raw hide straps, all of which they devoured.

We still continued to call down into the crevasse at regular intervals
in case our companion might not have been killed outright and, in the
meantime, have become conscious. There was no reply.

A weight was lowered on the fishing line as far as the dog which had
earlier shown some signs of life, but there was no response. All were
dead, swallowed up in an instant.

When comrades tramp the road to anywhere through a lonely
blizzard-ridden land in hunger, want and weariness the interests, ties
and fates of each are interwoven in a wondrous fabric of friendship and
affection. The shock of Ninnis's death struck home and deeply stirred
us.

He was a fine fellow and a born soldier--and the end:--

Life--give me life until the end,
That at the very top of being,
The battle spirit shouting in my blood,
Out of very reddest hell of the fight
I may be snatched and flung
Into the everlasting lull,
The Immortal, Incommunicable Dream.

At 9 P.M. we stood by the side of the crevasse and I read the burial
service. Then Mertz shook me by the hand with a short "Thank you!" and
we turned away to harness up the dogs.

CHAPTER XIII TOIL AND TRIBULATION

The homeward track! A few days ago--only few hours ago-our hearts
had beat hopefully at the prospect and there was no hint of this, the
overwhelming tragedy. Our fellow, comrade, chum, in a woeful instant,
buried in the bowels of the awful glacier. We could not think of it; we
strove to forget it in the necessity of work, but we knew that the truth
would assuredly enter our souls in the lonely days to c