It was a cold job gathering these little shell-fish, as for each one the whole hand and arm had to be plunged into the icy water, and many score of these small creatures had to be collected to make anything of a meal.

Seaweed boiled in sea-water was used to eke out the rapidly diminishing stock of seal and penguin meat.
This did not agree with some of the party.

Though it was acknowledged to be very tasty it only served to increase their appetite--a serious thing when there was nothing to satisfy it with! One man remarked in his diary: "We had a sumptuous meal to-day--nearly five ounces of solid food each." It is largely due to Wild, and to his energy, initiative, and resource, that the whole party kept cheerful all along, and, indeed, came out alive and so well.

Assisted by the two surgeons, Drs.

McIlroy and Macklin, he had ever a watchful eye for the health of each one.
His cheery optimism never failed, even when food was very short and the prospect of relief seemed remote.