272 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Aug. 



in the long run, and that in it lay the only hope of keeping the 

 boats within our grasp until the climate should be more favour- 

 able. So, however deeply the snow fell after each new 

 southerly blow, the work was renewed with vigour, and we 

 bowed to the inevitable whilst we heartily cursed the folly 

 which had landed us in such a predicament. It was not until 

 December, five months later, that Mr. Royds and our excellent 

 boatswain were able to attack the question of release with any 

 chance of success, and it was in this month that, after much 

 sawing and blasting, the boats were finally liberated, though by 

 no means M^ithout injury. 



^August I. — There can be few scenes more beautiful than 

 that which is about us on a calm moonlight night. During 

 the noon hours the silver rays are lost, and the moon itself is 

 changed to a deep orange yellow in the diffused twilight cast 

 by the gleaming crimson band to the north ; but as the red 

 glow slowly travels around and is lost behind the western hills, 

 our white world is left alone with the moon and the stars. 

 The cold, white light falls on the colder, whiter snow against 

 which the dark rock and intricate outline of the ship stand out 

 in blackest contrast. Each sharp peak and every object about 

 us casts a deep shadow, and is clearly outlined against the sky, 

 but beyond our immediate surroundings is fairyland. The eye 

 travels on and on over the gleaming plain till it meets the 

 misty white horizon, and above and beyond, the soft, silvery 

 outlines of the mountains. Did one not know them of old, it 

 would sometimes be difficult to think them real, so deep a spell 

 of enchantment seems to rest on the scene. And indeed it is 

 not a spell that rests on man alone, for it is on such nights that 

 the dogs lift up their voices and join in a chant which disturbs 

 the most restful sleepers. 



' What lingering instinct of bygone ages can impel them to 

 this extraordinary custom is beyond guessing ; but on these 

 calm, clear moonlit nights, when all are coiled down placidly 

 sleeping, one will suddenly raise his head and from the depths 

 of his throat send forth a prolonged, dismal wail, utterly unlike 

 any sound he can produce on ordinary occasions. As the note 



