1876 FARTHEST POINT REACHED. 31 



4 The line of hummocks was about four miles off, 

 and appeared to incline slightly to the southward in 

 the distance. The land itself is not high, and there 

 being no cliffs, not a speck bare of snow was visible. 

 The hills sloped gradually from the ice, and the 

 ridge on which we were at the extreme of our journey 

 was a portion of undulating low land, attached to the 

 coast, and continuing south-west with it. 



' I turned back and met the sledge. Halted for 

 grog and biscuit. Hoisted the Union Jack, and drank 

 Her Majesty's health. 



' After lunch we sounded, and came to solid ice, 



SOUNDING FOR LAND. 



under five feet of snow, but from the height and extent 

 of the ridges, I should imagine land lay underneath. 



' Looking back on to the bay, I observed a series of 

 ice rollers, two of which we crossed over yesterday. 



c The remaining two or three marching hours I gave 

 up to the men, who used them in patching up foot 

 gear, and other little things which had become neces- 

 sary. 



' Our foot gear all became thoroughly wet to-day, 

 one may say for the first time. Temperature in the 

 shade 14°. 



