THE BOAT JOURNEY The increasing sea made it necessary for us to drag the boats farther up the beach.

This was a task for all hands, and after much labour we got the boats into safe positions among the rocks and made fast the painters to big boulders.

Then I discussed with Wild and Worsley the chances of reaching South Georgia before the winter locked the seas against us.

Some effort had to be made to secure relief.

Privation and exposure had left their mark on the party, and the health and mental condition of several men were causing me serious anxiety.
Blackborrow's feet, which had been frost-bitten during the boat journey, were in a bad way, and the two doctors feared that an operation would be necessary.