PUBLISHER’S NOTE
IN the beginning it was the intention of Sir Ernest ShackUUm togive Scout Marr the benefit of his guiding hand in the writing ofthis book; and indeed up to within a few days of the greatexplorer's death, he spent many moments in talking it over withMarr, and incidentally gave valuable hints as together they wentover the Scout's notes of his observations. In this way theframework of the book may be said to have been laid down by SirErnest, and the earlier chapters bear the impress of his kindlyadvice as well as the reinforcement of his wide and wiseexperience.

From the sad moment of his death the narrative was continued byScout Marr, and then when the MS. was completed, the young author'swork was given the valued editorial overlook of so experienced awriter of the things of the sea as Captain Frank H. Shaw.

In this way the book grew into its present form, and may beconsidered the more acceptable insomuch as it reflects thepersonality of the " Boss ” and is, moreover, just one moreinstance of his comradely spirit toward one on the threshold oflife.2:7