This is a good protection against the cold, though it does not give our dwellings a very elegant appearance.
"Around most of our huts shallow trenches are dug, to carry off the water, thus diminishing the dampness.

Most of the huts are not floored, but mine, fortunately, is an exception to the general rule.

My comrades succeeded in obtaining some boards somewhere, and we are a little in advance of our neighbors in this respect.
"Six of us are lodged in a tent.

It is pretty close packing, but we don't stand upon ceremony here.

My messmates seem to be pleasant fellows.