Sometimes
their consciences would smite them and they would drag round a seal's
head, half a penguin, or a large lump of frozen meat or blubber to
Amundsen's kennel for rent. It was interesting to watch the big dog
play with them, seizing them by throat or neck in what appeared to be a
fierce fashion, while really quite gentle with them, and all the time
teaching them how to hold their own in the world and putting them up to
all the tricks of dog life.
The drift of the 'Endurance' in the grip of the pack continued without
incident of importance through June. Pressure was reported
occasionally, but the ice in the immediate vicinity of the ship
remained firm. The light was now very bad except in the period when
the friendly moon was above the horizon. A faint twilight round about
noon of each day reminded us of the sun, and assisted us in the
important work of exercising the dogs. The care of the teams was our
heaviest responsibility in those days. The movement of the floes was
beyond all human control, and there was nothing to be gained by
allowing one's mind to struggle with the problems of the future, though
it was hard to avoid anxiety at times. The conditioning and training of
the dogs seemed essential, whatever fate might be in store for us, and
the teams were taken out by their drivers whenever the weather
permitted.
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