THE DEVIL'S GLACIER 83 



and heavy there. All we could do was to try to make 

 our way on, and we therefore crept southward. 



On leaving our tent we had first to cross a com- 

 paratively narrow snow-bridge, and then go along a 

 ridge or saddle, raised by pressure, with wide open 

 crevasses on both sides. This ridge led us on to an ice- 

 wave about 25 feet high — a formation which was due to 

 the pressure having ceased before the wave had been 

 forced to break and form hummocks. We saw well 

 enough that this would be a difficult place to pass with 

 sledges and dogs, but in default of anything better 

 it would have to be done. From the top of this wave- 

 formation we could see down on the other side, which 

 had hitherto been hidden from us. The fog prevented 

 our seeing far, but the immediate surroundings were 

 enough to convince us that with caution we could beat 

 up farther. From the height on which we stood, every 

 precaution would be required to avoid going down on 

 the other side; for there the wave ended in an open 

 crevasse, specially adapted to receive any drivers, sledges 

 or dogs that might make a slip. 



This trip that Hanssen and I took to the south was 

 made entirely at random, as we saw absolutely nothing ; 

 our object was to make tracks for the following day's 

 journey. The language we used about the glacier as 

 we went was not altogether complimentary; we had 

 endless tacking and turning to get on. To go one yard 

 forward, I am sure we had to go at least ten to one 



