d monotonous howling, as is the custom of these
dogs when the fit takes them. It was quite evident that they were not
looking forward to another sea voyage. The pandemonium made it all
but impossible to hear the orders given for working the ship, and a
collision was narrowly averted. During those rare lulls, when the dogs'
repertoire temporarily gave out, innumerable sailors on neighbouring
craft, wakened from their sleep, made the most of such opportunities to
hurl imprecations in a thoroughly nautical fashion upon the ship, her
officers, and each and every one of the crew.

On the way to Cardiff, where a full supply of coal was to be shipped, a
gale was encountered, and much water came on board, resulting in damage
to the stores. Some water leaked into the living quarters and, on the
whole, several very uncomfortable days were spent. Such inconvenience
at the outset undoubtedly did good, for many of the crew, evidently not
prepared for emergency conditions, left at Cardiff. The scratch crew
with which the 'Aurora'journeyed to Hobart composed for the most part of
replacements made at Cardiff, resulted in some permanent appointments of
unexpected value to the Expedition.

At Cardiff the coal strike caused delay, but eventually some five
hundred tons of the Crown Fuel Company's briquettes were got on board,
and a final leave taken of English shores on August 4.

Cape Town, the only intermediate port of call, was reached on September
24, after a comparatively rapid and uneventful voyage. A couple of days
sufficed to load coal, water and fresh provisions, and the course was
then laid for Hobart.

Rough weather soon intervened, and Lieutenant Ninnis and Dr. Mertz, who
travelled out by the 'Aurora' in charge of the sledging-dogs, had their
time fully occupied, for the wet conditions began to tell on their
charges.

On leaving London there were forty-nine of these Greenland, Esquimaux
sledging-dogs of which the purchase and selection had been made through
the offices of the Danish Geographical Society. From Greenland they
were taken to Copenhagen, and from thence transhipped to London, where
Messrs. Spratt took charge of them at their dog-farm until the date of
departure. During the voyage they were fed on the finest dog-cakes, but
they undoubtedly felt the need of fresh meat and fish to withstand the
cold and wet. In the rough weather of the latter part of the voyage
water broke continually over the deck, so lowering th