The locking of the armies in the trenches, the sinking of the 'Lusitania', the murder of Nurse Cavell, the use of poison-gas and liquid fire, the submarine warfare, the Gallipoli campaign, the hundred other incidents of the war, almost stunned us at first, and then our minds began to compass the train of events and develop a perspective.

I suppose our experience was unique.
No other civilized men could have been as blankly ignorant of world- shaking happenings as we were when we reached Stromness Whaling Station.
I heard the first rumour of the 'Aurora's' misadventures in the Ross Sea from Mr.Sorlle.

Our host could tell me very little.

He had been informed that the 'Aurora' had broken away from winter quarters in McMurdo Sound and reached New Zealand after a long drift, and that there was no news of the shore party.

His information was indefinite as to details, and I had to wait until I reached the Falkland Islands some time later before getting a definite report concerning the 'Aurora'.