142 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [March 



and Atkinson in the other. It was very sporting of Wright to 

 join in after only a day's rest. He is evidently a splendid puller. 



Debenham has become principal cook, and evidently enjoys 

 the task. 



Taylor is full of good spirits and anecdote, an addition to 

 the party. 



Yesterday after a beautifully fine morning we got a strong 

 northerly wind which blew till the middle of the night, crowding 

 the young ice up the Strait. Then the wind suddenly shifted 

 to the south, and I thought we were in for a blizzard; but this 

 morning the wind has gone to the S.E. — the stratus cloud formed 

 by the north wind is dissipating, and the damp snow deposited 

 in the night is drifting. It looks like a fine evening. 



Steadily we are increasing the comforts of the hut. The 

 stove has been improved out of all recognition; with extra stove- 

 pipes we get no back draughts, no smoke inside, whilst the 

 economy of fuel Is much increased. 



Insulation inside and out is the subject we are now attacking. 



The young ice is going to and fro, but the sea refuses to 

 freeze over so far — except In the region of Pram Point, where 

 a bay has remained for some four days holding some pieces of 

 Barrier in its grip. These pieces have come from the edge of 

 the Barrier and some are crumbling already, showing a deep and 

 rapid surface deposit of snow and therefore the probability that 

 they are drifted sea Ice not more than a year or two old, the 

 depth of the drift being due to proximity to an old Barrier edge. 



I have just taken to pyjama trousers and shall don an extra 

 shirt — I have been astonished at the warmth which I have felt 

 throughout in light clothing. So far I have had nothing more 

 than a singlet and jersey under pyjama jacket and a single pair of 

 drawers under wind trousers. A hole In the drawers of ancient 

 date means that one place has had no covering but the wind 

 trousers, yet I have never felt cold about the body. 



In spite of all little activities I am Impatient of our wait here. 

 But I shall be impatient also In the main hut. It is 111 to sit 

 still and contemplate the ruin which has assailed our transport. 

 The scheme of advance must be very different from that which 

 I first contemplated. The Pole Is a very long way off, alas! 



Bit by bit I am losing all faith In the dogs — I'm afraid they 

 will never go the pace we look for. 



