I went out during a slight cessation
and, with the aid of a rope from the trap-door, managed to find the
dogs, and gave them some biscuits. The drift was then so thick that six
feet was as far as one could see.

We did not forget Empire Day and duly "spliced the mainbrace." The most
bigoted teetotaller could not call us an intemperate party. On each
Saturday night, one drink per man was served out, the popular toast
being "Sweethearts and Wives." The only other convivial meetings of our
small symposium were on the birthdays of each member, Midwinter's Day
and King's Birthday.

On the 25th we were able to make an inventory of a whole series of
damages effected outside. The dogs' shelter had entirely carried away;
a short mast which had been erected some weeks previously as a holdfast
for sledges was snapped off short and the sledges buried, and, worst of
all, Kennedy's igloo had parted with its roof, the interior being filled
with snow, underneath which the instruments were buried. The dogs were,
however, all quite well and lively. It was fortunate for them that the
temperature always rose during the blizzards. At this period, when on
fine days it was usual to experience -25 degrees to-37 degrees F., the
temperature rose in the snowstorms to 25 degrees or even 30 degrees F.

Monday the 27th was beautifully clear. The tunnel entrance was opened
and some of the party brought in ice while others undid the rope
lashings which had been placed over the hut. This was so compactly
covered in snow that the lashings were not required and I wanted to make
a rope ladder to enable us to get down to the sea-ice and also to be
used by Watson and Hoadley, who were about to dig a shaft in the glacier
to examine the structure of the ice.

Fine weather continued until June 2. During this time we were occupied
in digging a road from the glacier down to the sea-ice in the forenoons
and hunting for seals or skiing in the afternoons. Kennedy and Harrisson
rebuilt the magnetic igloo. A seal-hole was eventually found near the
foot of the glacier and this was enlarged to enable the seals to come
up.

At the end of May, daylight lasted from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M., and the
sunrise and sunset were a marvel of exquisite colour. The nightly
displays of aurora australis were not very brilliant as the moon was
nearing the full.

On the days of blizzards, there was usually sufficient work to be found
to keep us all employed. Thus on June 2, Watson a