The Voyage Of The 'Discovery' (V. 2)

Excerpt from book: CHAPTER XVI OUR SECOND WINTER Effects of the Strain of the Southern Journey?Communication with the ' Morning '?Change of Weather?Stores Transported?Delays in the Break-up of the Ice -Closing of the Season?Departure of the ' Morning '?Making Provision for the Winter?Settling Down?Hockey? Departure of the Sun?Fishing Operations?Record Temperatures? The Electrometer?Midwinter Feast?Our Growing Puppies?Hodgson at Work?The ' Flying Scud '?Return of the Sun?Signs of Summer?Plans for the Future?General Good Health. And so without more circumstance at all I hold it fit that we shake hands and part. Shakespeare. Come what come may Time and the hour runs through the darkest day. Shakespeare. It was a curious coincidence that Colbeck should have chosen the night of our return for his first visit to the ' Discovery.' Up to this time he had felt reluctant to leave his ship, not knowing when a change of weather might occur, but on this day he had decided to visit the company to which he had brought such welcome intelligence, and soon after I had emerged from my first delicious bath and was revelling in the delights of clean garments, I had the pleasure of welcoming him on board. In those last weary marches over the barrier I had little expected that the first feast in our home quarters would be taken with strange faces gathered about our festive table, but1903] STRAIN OF THE SOUTHERN JOURNEY 121 so it was, and I can well remember the look of astonishment that dawned on those faces when we gradually displayed our power of absorbing food. As we ate on long after the appetites of our visitors had been satisfied, there was at first mild surprise; then we could see politeness struggling with bewilderment ; and finally the sense of the ludicrous overcame all forms, and our g...