A PERILOUS TIME.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 466, 26 March 1909, Page 6

A PERILOUS TIME.

NARRATIVE OF SECOND OFFICER. (Special to The Dominion.) Christchuroh, March 25. ' o *? r econd officer of tlle Nimrod, Mr. A. b. Macintosh, had a rather exciting experience- which should leave an indelible impression of the sinister side of tho Antarctic on ins memory. He formed one of tho party which was dispatched with the mails to tho hut, aud this party had a decidedly adventurous time. They had first to-travel over sea ice, but after they had proceeded a certain distance they found that it was scored with crevasses. This route had to be abandoned,' and two of the party who had not borne the rigours of the journey well returned to the ship. All Provisions Lost. Mr. Macintosh, with Mi'. M'Gillan, a New Zealander, set out by a different route, and they had the hardest time of their lives while on the journey. Mr. M'Gillan tell down a crevasse and lost all the provisions. In the face ot this disaster, the pair had nothing to do but to go on, and eventually they got to Capo Royds in a famished state, having been forty-four hours without food. on 9 of the most exciting portions of the journey was in crossing over Mount Bird. They had to ascend to an altitude of about 4000 feet on one side and descend to sea level on tho other. By tho greatest good fortuno they struck tho only track down tho mountain sido, aud they rolled and tumbled down it in tho best way they could. On each side of the track wero open and snow-covered crevasses, but providentially thero wero none crossing the descent. When they wero Hearing Capo Royds a blizzard camo on, and they had to circle round and round for about four hours, lost to every idoa of locality. In addition to experiencing the pangs of hunger, they also suffered from frost-bites. Mr. Macintosh said that Mr. M'Gillan raado a splendid and courageous companion, and that if it had not been for his bravery and resourcefulness they would never have got through. Absence of Sickness. Mr. Macintosh looks back with plcasureablo feelings to his stay in Antarctica, though ho confesses that he is glad to get hack once moro to tho comforts of civilisation. "When you arc down there," he says, "sou know that nothing will induc«.you to

go back, but from a distanco tlioro is a fascination about Antarctica." The picking up of tho parties was ono of tho most arduous parts of tho work of tho ship's company. Somo of Professor David's specimens had to bo left behind. Though efforts wero mado to get them from tho placo wlicro ho had cached them! tho attempt was frustrated by tho inexorable pack ice. Tho silence of tho day in Antarctica has been commented on before. It is a thing one cannot get used to apparently. Mr. Macintosh commented on the absence of sickncss, tho practical immunity of tho parties from serious 'llness being ono of the features of tho expedition, considering that from tho point of view of adventure it was not approached by previous expeditions. Everyone seemed to suffer from frost-bite, and quito a number of tho members of tho expendition still bear marks of the attentions of Jack Frost. Mr. Macintosh, who, it will be remembered, mot with an unfortunate accident' on tho first trip of tho Nimrod to tho ice, is looking tho picturo of health, and has all tho distinguishing marks and appendages in the shape of frost-bite and hirsute adornment of the Antarctic exploring party. The Commissariat. Tho commissariat arrangements were under the care of Mr. W. Roberts, and ho had no hesitation in describing tho quality of tho stores, especially tho tinned food, as excellent. Tho stores were only drawn onco a day after July .3, and tho meals consisted mainly of tinnod fish, tinned meat, and dried milk. Wlionever seals or penguins were procurable they wero used as food, and were largely instrumental in preventing scurvy. Thoy were cooked, stowed, and served in various ways, and provided excellent food, especially seal liver. Tho vegetables wero all dried, and these added a welcome variation to tho diet. When tho Koonya left tho party after tov.-ing tho Nimrod to tho ice, sho put ten livo sheep ashore, and they provided mutton on Sundays until October. Tho penguins left the ico in tho winter months, and, in order to have a supply, tho party captured a largo number, and, after killing them, buried them in tho. snow to preserve them. Mr. Roberts stated that the party developed a great liking for sweets, efp'-cially sugar and jams, for thoy increased the temperature of tho body. Consequently these formed a prominent part of the menu. The stores takon away wero amplo for all requirements, and a good portion was left behind for any future expedition that night attempt to reach the South Pole. Breakfast was served at nino o'clock in tho morning, "stand-up" lunch at ono o'clock in the afternoon, tea at four o'clock, and dinner at 6.30; in\tho summer months breakfast was served an hour earlier.