The locking of the armies in the
trenches, the sinking of the 'Lusitania', the murder of Nurse Cavell,
the use of poison-gas and liquid fire, the submarine warfare, the
Gallipoli campaign, the hundred other incidents of the war, almost
stunned us at first, and then our minds began to compass the train of
events and develop a perspective. I suppose our experience was unique.
No other civilized men could have been as blankly ignorant of world-
shaking happenings as we were when we reached Stromness Whaling Station.
I heard the first rumour of the 'Aurora's' misadventures in the Ross
Sea from Mr. Sorlle. Our host could tell me very little. He had been
informed that the 'Aurora' had broken away from winter quarters in
McMurdo Sound and reached New Zealand after a long drift, and that
there was no news of the shore party. His information was indefinite
as to details, and I had to wait until I reached the Falkland Islands
some time later before getting a definite report concerning the
'Aurora'. The rumour that had reached South Georgia, however, made it
more than ever important that I should bring out the rest of the
Weddell Sea party quickly, so as to free myself for whatever effort was
required on the Ross Sea side.
When we reached Husvik that Sunday morning we were warmly greeted by
the magistrate (Mr.
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