question of physical fitness must
ever receive primary regard, yet these alone in no wise fit a man for
such an undertaking. The qualifications of mental ability, acquaintance
with the work and sound moral quality have to be essentially borne in
mind. The man of fifty might then be placed on a higher plane than his
younger companion.

With regard to alcohol and tobacco, it may be maintained on theoretical
grounds that a man is better without them, but, on the other hand,
his behaviour in respect to such habits is often an index to his
self-control.

Perfection is attained when every man individually works with the
determination to sacrifice all personal predispositions to the welfare
of the whole.

Ours proved to be a very happy selection. The majority of the men chosen
as members of the land parties were young graduates of the Commonwealth
and New Zealand Universities, and almost all were representative of
Australasia. Among the exceptions was Mr. Frank Wild, who was appointed
leader of one of the Antarctic parties. Wild had distinguished himself
in the South on two previous occasions, and now is in the unique
position of being, as it were, the oldest resident of Antarctica. Our
sojourn together at Cape Royds with Shackleton had acquainted me with
Wild's high merits as an explorer and leader.

Lieutenant B. E. S. Ninnis of the Royal Fusiliers, Dr. X. Mertz, an
expert ski-runner and mountaineer, and Mr. F. H. Bickerton in charge of
the air-tractor sledge, were appointed in London. Reference has already
been made to Captain Davis: to him were left all arrangements regarding
the ship's complement.

A "Who's who" of the staff appears as an appendix.

CHAPTER II THE LAST DAYS AT HOBART AND THE VOYAGE TO MACQUARIE ISLAND

"Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us;
Let us journey to a lonely land I know.
There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to
guide us.
And the Wild is calling, calling--Let us go."--SERVICE.

It will be convenient to pick up the thread of our story upon the point
of the arrival of the 'Aurora' in Hobart, after her long voyage from
London during the latter part of the year 1911.

Captain Davis had written from Cape Town stating that he expected to
reach Hobart on November 4. In company with Mr. C. C. Eitel, secretary
of the Expedition, I proceeded to Hobart, arriving on November 2.

Early in the morning of November 4