We made fast a line to a heavy boulder and set a watch to fend the 'James Caird' off the rocks of the beach.

Then I sent Crean round to the left side of the cove, about thirty yards away, where I had noticed a little cave as we were running in.

He could not see much in the darkness, but reported that the place certainly promised some shelter.

We carried the sleeping-bags round and found a mere hollow in the rock-face, with a shingle floor sloping at a steep angle to the sea.

There we prepared a hot meal, and when the food was finished I ordered the men to turn in.