Wild had reckoned that help would come in August, and every morning he had packed his kit, in cheerful anticipation that proved infectious, as I have no doubt it was meant to be.

One of the party to whom I had said "Well, you all were packed up ready," replied, "You see, boss, Wild never gave up hope, and whenever the sea was at all clear of ice he rolled up his sleeping-bag and said to all hands, 'Roll up your sleeping-bags, boys; the boss may come to-day.'" And so it came to pass that we suddenly came out of the fog, and, from a black outlook, in an hour all were in safety homeward bound.

The food was eked out with seal and penguin meat, limpets, and seaweed.

Seals had been scarce, but the supply of penguins had held out fairly well during the first three months.

The men were down to the last Bovril ration, the only form of hot drink they had, and had scarcely four days' food in hand at the time of the rescue.