1876 WESTERN SLEDGE JOURNEY; 15 



getting much harder and more compact below the 

 surface than before Between it and the ice was a 

 space of over two inches. The latter gave me the 

 impression of being young, and not of the blue- topped 

 description. Lines of sastrugi north-west and south- 

 east, which is about parallel to the line of hummocks. 



' The temperature of the air while travelling was 

 minus 15°. When encamped at mid-day it rose to 40° 

 on the sunny side of the tent inside. Positive luxury ! 



' SOth. — The north-west wind died away in the 

 night. Started at 6.50 a.m. with the whole load. The 

 sledge does not appear to get much lighter ; I suspect 

 the increase in weight of robes and bags, &c. (small as it 

 is compared with autumn travelling), fully compensates 

 for the provisions consumed to the present, and that it 

 is as heavy, if not heavier, than when we left the ship. 

 However, we all pulled with a will, and were en- 

 couraged by the travelling improving at almost every 

 step. Camped at 3.30 p.m. Made good three and 

 a-half miles. 



4 This was a short march, partly on account of 

 shifting our travelling hours still farther into night 

 travelling, and partly on account of its being Sunday. 

 My men are all in capital spirits ; the improved travel- 

 ling, the warmer weather, and prosj)ects of getting on> 

 all tending to a rapid rise in the " social barometer," 

 which, in our small community, is as desirable as 

 welcome. I read the Evening Service after supper. 



' The Sergeant-Major has just shown me a very 

 ugly-looking red patch or blotch just above the ankle ; 

 the limb is slightly swollen. 



6 May 1st. — The questionable pleasure of having a 



