228 DEPOT JOURNEYS 



in motion. He was visibly relieved. But I knew very 

 well that before long he would begin to take little 

 turns outside to watch the ridge. Would they soon be 

 coming? 



There was a light breeze from the south, dead against 

 us, and the sky was overcast. Newly fallen snow made 

 the going heavy, and the dogs had hard work with their 

 loads. Our former tracks were no longer visible, but 

 we were lucky enough to find the first flag, which stood 

 eleven miles inland. From there we followed the dried 

 fish, which stood out sharply against the white snow 

 and were very easy to see. We pitched our camp at 

 six o'clock in the evening, having come a distance of 

 seventeen miles. Our camp was quite imposing four 

 tents for three men apiece, with two in each. In two 

 of them the housekeeping arrangements were carried 

 on. The weather had improved during the afternoon, 

 and by evening we had the most brilliantly clear sky. 



Next day the going was even heavier, and the dogs 

 were severely tried. We did no more than twelve and 

 a half miles after eight hours' march. The temperature 

 remained reasonable, +5 F. We had lost our dried 

 fish, and for the last few hours were going only by 

 compass. 



February 24 began badly a strong wind from the 

 south-east, with thick driving snow. We could see 

 nothing, and had to steer our course by compass. It 

 was bitter going against the wind, although the tern- 



