Monthly Archives: May 2013

Jokes of the primitive kind

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“Even when cracked lips and swollen mouths checked the outward and visible signs of amusement we could see a joke of the primitive kind. Man’s sense of humour is most easily stirred by the petty misfortunes of his neighbors, and … Continue reading →

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The swearing rule

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“As a rule when a sea wets a sailor through he swears at it comprehensively, and impartially curses everything in sight beginning with the ship & ‘the old man’—if he’s not within hearing, but on this trip we said nothing … Continue reading →

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We did not shoot the albatross

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“My double-barreled shotgun and some cartridges had been stowed aboard the boat as an emergency precaution against a shortage of food, but we were not disposed to destroy our little neighbors, the Cape pigeons, even for the sake of fresh … Continue reading →

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Don’t look back

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“In steering a small boat before a heavy gale, don’t look back, it may disconcert you. Fix your eye with a glassy glare on a cloud or breaking sea right ahead & keep her straight, if you can. When you … Continue reading →

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One hand for yourself & one for the King

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“So we all took it in turns to crawl out with an axe & chop it off. What a job! The boat leaping & kicking like a mad mule & a great fifteen inch thick slippery casing of ice over … Continue reading →

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