THE TOP OF THE PLATEAU 109 



for the observations and dead reckoning agreed to a 

 mile. In spite of all hindrances, and of being able 

 to see nothing, the sledge-meters showed nearly twenty- 

 five miles. The hypsometer showed 11,070 feet above 

 the sea; we had therefore reached a greater altitude 

 than the Butcher's. 



December 6 brought the same weather: thick snow, 

 sky and plain all one, nothing to be seen. Nevertheless 

 we made splendid progress. The sastrugi gradually 

 became levelled out, until the surface was perfectly 

 smooth; it was a relief to have even ground to go 

 upon once more. These irregularities that one was 

 constantly falling over were a nuisance ; if we had met 

 with them in our usual surroundings it would not have 

 mattered so much; but up here on the high ground, 

 where we had to stand and gasp for breath every time 

 we rolled over, it was certainly not pleasant. 



That day we passed 88° S., and camped in 88° 9' S. 

 A great surprise awaited us in the tent that evening. I 

 expected to find, as on the previous evening, that the 

 boiling-point had fallen somewhat; in other words, that 

 it would show a continued rise of the ground, but to our 

 astonishment this was not so. The water boiled at 

 exactly the same temperature as on the preceding day. 

 I tried it several times, to convince myself that there 

 was nothing wrong, each time with the same result. 

 There was great rejoicing among us all when I was able 

 to announce that we had arrived on the top of the plateau. 



