RETURN OF THE 'DISCOVERY 29 



The expedition passed a second winter in the ice, 

 and in the following spring Captain Scott led a sledge 

 journey to the west on the ice plateau. In January, 

 1904, the Morning returned, accompanied by the Terra 

 Nova, formerly a Newfoundland sealing vessel. They 

 brought orders from home that the Discovery was to be 

 abandoned if she could not be got out. Preparations 

 were made for carrying out the order, but finally, after 

 explosives had been used, a sudden break-up of the ice 

 set the vessel free. 



All the coal that could be spared was put on board 

 the Discovery from the relief ships, and Scott carried his 

 researches further. If at that time he had had more 

 coal, it is probable that this active explorer would have 

 accomplished even greater things than he did. Wilkes's 

 " Ringgold's Knoll " and " Eld's Peak" were wiped off 

 the map, and nothing was seen of ' Cape Hudson," 

 though the Discovery passed well within sight of its 

 supposed position. 



On March 14 Scott anchored in Ross Harbour, 

 Auckland Islands. With rich results, the expedition 

 returned home in September, 1904. 



Meanwhile the German expedition under Professor 

 Erich von Drygalski had been doing excellent work in 

 another quarter. 



The plan of the expedition was to explore the 

 Antarctic regions to the south of Kerguelen Land, after 



