But the move was imperative, and by 11 a.m.we were away, the 'James Caird' leading.

Just as we rounded the small island occupied by the ringed penguins the "willywaw" swooped down from the 2000-ft.

cliffs behind us, a herald of the southerly gale that was to spring up within half an hour.
Soon we were straining at the oars with the gale on our bows.

Never had we found a more severe task.

The wind shifted from the south to the south-west, and the shortage of oars became a serious matter.