1912] PEANS FOR THE SEARCH 225 
On July the 16th we had probably the most beautiful day of 
the year. The whole northern sky was filled with opalescent 
clouds, and owing to some white ice instead of the black water 
in the North Bay, the increase of light seemed very appreciable. 
The mules were now exercised regularly on the ice in the South 
Bay, and by this means their leaders were able to take them over 
greater distances. Their condition began gradually to improve, 
and the way they had come through the winter so far reflected 
great credit on the care taken by Lashly. 
On the r1gth the plans for the Southern journey were laid 
before the other members. Debenham, who had been suffering 
from an old knee injury at football, and Archer were the two 
members who would have to remain by the hut. 
It was a sad blow to both of them to realise their position, 
but they accepted it cheerfully. The plan was to provide enough 
provisions to enable two parties, each a unit of four, to ascend 
the Beardmore Glacier, and two dog teams with a unit of three 
men to return from some point not as yet settled. Of the men 
ascending the glacier, four were to remain at the Cloud-maker 
and collect geological specimens, photograph, and do survey 
work. They would then proceed to the foot of the glacier and 
continue doing this same work until the return of the others, for 
-all this time they were needed as a support by the advance party. 
This advance party, the other unit of four, would ascend to the 
top of the glacier if it were necessary to go so*far. On their 
return to the foot of the glacier both units would march home. 
At this time it was believed by most of us that an accident had 
occurred to the Southern Party, probably at the lower reaches 
of the Beardmore, in bad weather, and that sickness had noth- 
ing to do with the disaster. 
As there was no food either for dogs, mules, or men in any 
of the depots, the initial starting weights would have to be very 
large. To help as far as possible some small depdt journeys 
would be made in the spring. During the whole winter so far the 
cheerfulness of the party had been splendid under the most trying 
conditions, but there now seemed to be an added sprightliness 
with the return of light. 
Nelson had been occupying his time by a very ingenious 
method of predicting occultations. He predicted altogether 
nearly fifty, but unfortunately was only able to get one or two 
VOL. II—I5 
