Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/250

200 [Since these words were written it has been my happy fate to watch from behind the scenes the preparations for a great Antarctic expedition; to be allowed to see and learn what it means to bring such a work to the possibility of success; to have followed its fortunes with intense interest and admiring affection and the greatest faith, to be justified in every way by the brilliant success of Ernest Shackleton and his gallant men. “This is the man, and this is the expedition,” I said to myself and others the very first time I met Ernest Shackleton; through storm and stress I never wavered in my belief and my faith, and no one could ever have rejoiced more sincerely than I did when, the days of waiting and anxiety over, the triumphant news of their safe return and great success was flashed by cable from New Zealand. A great, a big deed, so splendidly done! Just the sort of story I loved, and done; too, by men I knew and believed in!

The world knows and has applauded the results; and the British Empire is proud of those men who planted their King’s flag so far beyond where mortal foot had ever been; but it is only those who know what led to that result who can guess how really great was the deed. It is a story to stir one how this young man conceived the idea that he would himself raise the sum of £50,000 or £60,000 by his own exertions, find and buy a suitable ship, find the men useful for his purpose, equip his expedition —thinking out beforehand every possible detail—and would then essay this daring and difficult task of surpassing all that any one, alive or dead, had done. Surely a bold and ambitious dream! Yet Ernest Shackleton did it—did it in less time, on less money, and with greater results than any other expedition, and brought his ship and all his men home safe and sound; his