There were now four men up on the thwarts of the 'Dudley Docker', and the five sailors and Hussey on those of the 'Stancomb Wills', the remainder disposing themselves on the floor." The floor was at first covered with snow and ice, frozen in amongst the pebbles.

This was cleared out, and the remainder of the tents spread out over the stones.

Within the shelter of these cramped but comparatively palatial quarters cheerfulness once more reigned amongst the party.

The blizzard, however, soon discovered the flaws in the architecture of their hut, and the fine drift-snow forced its way through the crevices between the stones forming the end walls.

Jaeger sleeping-bags and coats were spread over the outside of these walls, packed over with snow and securely frozen up, effectively keeping out this drift.
At first all the cooking was done outside under the lee of some rocks, further protection being provided by a wall of provision-cases.