CHAPTER XII 



AT THE POLE 



lNlat.87° S. — according to dead reckoning — we saw the 

 last of the land to the north-east. The atmosphere was 

 then apparently as clear as could be, and we felt certain 

 that our view covered all the land there was to be seen 

 from that spot. We were deceived again on this occa- 

 sion, as will be seen later. Our distance that day 

 (December 4) was close upon twenty-five miles; height 

 above the sea, 10,100 feet. 



The weather did not continue fine for long. Next 

 day (December 5) there was a gale from the north, and 

 once more the whole plain was a mass of drifting snow. 

 In addition to this there was thick falling snow, which 

 blinded us and made things worse, but a feeling of 

 security had come over us and helped us to advance 

 rapidly and without hesitation, although we could see 

 nothing. That day we encountered new surface condi- 

 tions — big, hard snow- waves {sastrugi). These were 

 anything but pleasant to work among, especially when 

 one could not see them. It was of no use for us " fore- 

 runners " to think of going in advance under these 



107 



