Penguin carcasses were treated likewise. Limpets were gathered
from the pools disclosed between the rocks below high tide, after the
pack-ice had been driven away. It was a cold job gathering these little
shell-fish, as for each one the whole hand and arm had to be plunged
into the icy water, and many score of these small creatures had to be
collected to make anything of a meal. Seaweed boiled in sea-water was
used to eke out the rapidly diminishing stock of seal and penguin meat.
This did not agree with some of the party. Though it was acknowledged
to be very tasty it only served to increase their appetite--a serious
thing when there was nothing to satisfy it with! One man remarked in
his diary: "We had a sumptuous meal to-day--nearly five ounces of solid
food each."
It is largely due to Wild, and to his energy, initiative, and
resource, that the whole party kept cheerful all along, and, indeed,
came out alive and so well. Assisted by the two surgeons, Drs. McIlroy
and Macklin, he had ever a watchful eye for the health of each one.
His cheery optimism never failed, even when food was very short and the
prospect of relief seemed remote. Each one in his diary speaks with
admiration of him. I think without doubt that all the party who were
stranded on Elephant Island owe their lives to him.
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