Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/602

instant a catch came in-board Lillie was surrounded by an interested group of men, very anxious to see if any startling novelty had at last been dragged up from the bottom.

Across the Atlantic the plankton nets were put over, when possible, for half an hour every night, and a good series of catches was made; the middle watch was chosen, as experience had shown the practical impossibility of entirely preventing garbage, ashes, &c., from being thrown overboard during the day, and the nets faithfully collected everything that went over. At night, however, after washing down the shoots and the ship's side where ashes had been thrown over, the haul was made and the net brought in absolutely clean.

Rio was reached on April 28, and the ship stopped here four days, coaling, taking in fresh provisions, and giving leave.

While crossing the Tropics the dog watches were taken in the stoke-hold by the after-guard. This gave each fireman a sixteen hours' spell free of watch two days out of every three: a great boon when the conditions are trying, as they undoubtedly are, in the engine-room and stokehold in the Tropics.

The ship called at Fayal in the Azores, in order to cable home, and anchored off Horta on June 2. She was placed in quarantine, much to our chagrin, though facilities were allowed for sending cables and getting provisions.

At last, on June 11, the ship dropped anchor in Crow Sound, Scilly Islands, where two days were spent painting