Our most pressing anxiety at this stage was a shortage of fuel for the cooker.

We had rations for ten more days, and we knew now that we could get birds for food; but if we were to have hot meals we must secure fuel.

The store of petroleum carried in the boat was running very low, and it seemed necessary to keep some quantity for use on the overland journey that lay ahead of us.

A sea- elephant or a seal would have provided fuel as well as food, but we could see none in the neighbourhood.

During the morning we started a fire in the cave with wood from the top-sides of the boat, and though the dense smoke from the damp sticks inflamed our tired eyes, the warmth and the prospect of hot food were ample compensation.