CHAPTER X


SPRING DEPOT JOURNEY


However well equipped an expedition may be, there are always special
arrangements and adaptions necessary to further the labour-saving
contrivances and extend the radius of action.

For this reason the short autumn journeys had been undertaken to test the
equipment as well as to give us sledging experience and carry weights of
stores out on to the Barrier. And now that Wilson had added yet more
knowledge to what we were up against, we set Evans and his seamen
companions on to the most strenuous preparations for going South with
sledges. Thus, while one lot of men were skilfully fitting sledges with
convenient straps to secure the loads against the inevitable bumping,
jolting, and capsizing, and lashing tank-like contrivances of waterproof
canvas on, to contain the component units of food, another set of people
would be fastening light wicker or venesta boxes athwart the sledge ends
for carrying instruments and such perishable things as the primus stoves
and methylated spirit bottles. These sledges were under the particular
charge of Petty Officer Evans, and he took delightful pride in his
office. What little gray dawn there was enabled him gleefully to inspect
the completed sledges as they stood ready in their special groups outside
our hut.