THE VOYAGE TO MACQUARIE ISLAND 27

Harrisson was near the Nuggets, where he passed the night amongst the tussock-grass. Hurley and Hutchinson, who were five miles behind, also slept by the wayside. When dawn appeared, Harrisson moved on, reaching the north-end huts at about 9 a.m. Mertz and Whetter immediately set out and came to the relief of the other two men a few hours later.

Fatigue and a lame leg reduced Hurley for the rest of the day, but the next morning he was off to get pictures of the work proceeding on Wireless Hill. It was practically impossible for him to walk to the top of the hill, but not to be bafHed, he accepted the risk of the “ flying-fox.” Long before reaching the top he realized how much his safety depended on the strength of the hauling-line and the care of those at the summit.

During the latter part of our stay at the Island the wind blew from the north and north-north-east, at times quite strongly, so that for several days we were unable to reach the shore from the ship.

Our best anchor carried away, and we were reduced to steaming up and down in the partial shelter of Hasselborough Bay. Ashore the boatswain, some of the sailors, and the majority of the members of the land parties were busy com— pleting the erection of the “wireless ” masts.

On the morning of December 2 3 it was found possible to lower the whale-boat, and W/ild went off with a complement of sturdy oarsmen, including Madigan, Moyes, Watson and Kennedy, and succeeded in bringing off the dogs. Several trips were made with difficulty during the day, but at last all the men, dogs and sheep were embarked.

Both Wild and I went with the whale-boat on its last trip at dusk on the evening of December 23. The only possible landing-place, with the sea then running, was at the extreme north-eastern corner of the beach. No time was lost in getting the men and the remainder of the cargo into the boat, though in the darkness this was not easily managed. The final parting with our Macquarie Island party took place on the beach, their cheers echoing to ours as we breasted the surf and “ gave way ” for the ship.