"We must wait for the spring, which may bring us better fortune. If I
had guessed a month ago that the ice would grip us here, I would have
established our base at one of the landing-places at the great glacier.
But there seemed no reason to anticipate then that the fates would
prove unkind. This calm weather with intense cold in a summer month is
surely exceptional. My chief anxiety is the drift. Where will the
vagrant winds and currents carry the ship during the long winter months
that are ahead of us? We will go west, no doubt, but how far? And
will it be possible to break out of the pack early in the spring and
reach Vahsel Bay or some other suitable landing-place? These are
momentous questions for us."
On February 24 we ceased to observe ship routine, and the 'Endurance'
became a winter station. All hands were on duty during the day and
slept at night, except a watchman who looked after the dogs and watched
for any sign of movement in the ice. We cleared a space of 10 ft. by
20 ft. round the rudder and propeller, sawing through ice 2 ft. thick,
and lifting the blocks with a pair of tongs made by the carpenter.
Crean used the blocks to make an ice-house for the dog Sally, which had
added a little litter of pups to the strength of the expedition. Seals
appeared occasionally, and we killed all that came within our reach.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84