-pudding of the autumn were unearthed and found in
splendid condition. That evening it was thawed out over the primus and
we demolished it, after a pause of over five months since having the
first cut.

At this spot the steepest grades of the ascent to the plateau were left
behind, and it appeared to be a strategic point from which to extend our
sledging efforts. The main difficulty was that of pitching camp in
the prevailing winds on a surface of ice. To obviate this, the only
expedient was to excavate a shelter beneath the ice itself; and there
was the further consideration that all sledging parties would be able to
make use of such a haven and save extra wear on their tents.

On the morning of August 11 Madigan and Ninnis commenced to sink a deep
vertical trench, at one end of which a room was hewn out large enough to
accommodate three men. The job was finished on the following day, and we
struck the tent and moved to our new abode. The tent was spread over the
vertical shaft which served as the entrance.

It was a great relief to be in a strong room, with solid walls of ice,
in place of the cramped tent flapping violently in the wind. Inside, the
silence was profound; the blizzard was banished. Aladdin's Cave it
was dubbed--a truly magical world of glassy facets and scintillating
crystals.

Shelves were chipped out at a moment's notice for primus stove, spirit
bottle, matches, kerosene and other oddments. At one side a small hole
was cut to communicate with a narrow fissure which provided ventilation
without allowing the entrance of drift snow. Whatever daylight there was
filtered through the roof and walls without hindrance. A small crevasse
opened near at hand and was a natural receptacle for rubbish. The purest
ice for cooking could be immediately hacked from the walls without the
inconvenience of having to don one's burberrys and go outside for it.
Finally, one neatly disposed of spare clothes by moistening the corner
of each garment and pressing it against the wall for a few seconds,
where it would remain hanging until required. The place, in fact, was
simply replete with conveniences. We thoroughly enjoyed the night's
rest in Aladdin's Cave, notwithstanding alarming cracks proceeding
occasionally from the crevasses around.

Madigan and Ninnis dug a shelter for the dogs, which spent their time
curled up so as to expose as little surface as possible to the biting
wind. Their thick coats did not adhere to a