222 THE EASTERN SLEDGE JOURNEY 



forerunner. As long as we were in the line of flags this 

 answered very well ; the dogs galloped from one flag to 

 another, while I was able to adopt the easy method 

 of hanging on to Stubberud's sledge. About midday 

 we were abreast of the depression already mentioned, 

 where, on the third depot journey last autumn, we ran 

 into a regular net of crevasses. This time we were aware 

 of the danger, and kept to the left; but at the last 

 moment the leading team ran out to the wrong side, and 

 we cut cross the eastern part of the dangerous zone. 

 Fortunately it was taken at full gallop. It is quite 

 possible that I inwardly wished we were all a few pounds 

 lighter, as our little caravan raced across those thin snow 

 bridges, through which could be seen the blue colour of 

 the ugly gulfs below. But after the lapse of a few long 

 minutes we could congratulate ourselves on getting over 

 with our full numbers. 



Not for anything would I have gone that mile without 

 ski on my feet ; it would practically have meant falling 

 in and going out. It is, perhaps, saying a good deal 

 to claim that with ski on, one is absolutely secured 

 against the danger these crevasses present ; if misfortunes 

 are abroad, anything may happen. But it would require 

 a very considerable amount of bad luck for man and ski 

 to fall through. 



November 11. — In weather like this, going on the 

 march is like going to a dance: tent, sleeping-bags, and 

 clothes keep soft and dry as a bone. The thermometer 



