148 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [March 



^ mile from shore to northward. Cleared In patches also, I 

 am told, on both sides of Glacier Tongue, which is annoying. 

 A regular local wind. The Barrier edge can be seen clearly 

 all along, showing there is little or no drift. Have been out 

 over the Gap for walk. Glad to say majority of people seem 

 anxious to get exercise, but one or two like the fire better. 



The dogs are getting fitter each day, and all save one or 

 two have excellent coats. I was very pleased to find one or two 

 of the animals voluntarily accompanying us on our walk. It is 

 good to see them trotting against a strong drift. 



Tuesday, March 28. — Slowly but surely the sea is freezing 

 over. The ice holds and thickens south of Hut Point in spite 

 of strong easterly wind and in spite of isolated water holes 

 which obstinately remain open. It is difficult to account for 

 these — one wonders if the air currents shoot downward on such 

 places; but even so it is strange that they do not gradually 

 diminish in extent. A great deal of ice seems to have remained 

 in and about the northern islets, but it is too far to be sure 

 that there is a continuous sheet. 



We are building stabling to accommodate four more ponies 

 under the eastern verandah. When this is complete we shall 

 be able to shelter seven animals, and this should be enough for 

 winter and spring operations. 



Thursday, March 30. — The ice holds south of Hut Point, 

 though not thickening rapidly — yesterday was calm and the same 

 ice conditions seemed to obtain on both sides of the Glacier 

 Tongue. It looks as though the last part of the road to be- 

 come safe will be the stretch from Hut Point to Turtleback 

 Island. Here the sea seems disinclined to freeze even in calm 

 weather. To-day there is more strong wind from the east. 

 White horse all along under the ridge. 



The period of our stay here seems to promise to lengthen. 

 It is trying — trying — but we can live, which is something. I 

 should not be greatly surprised if we had to wait till May. Sev- 

 eral skuas were about the camp yesterday. I have seen none 

 to-day. 



Two rorquals were rising close to Hut Point this morning 

 — although the ice is nowhere thick it was strange to see them 

 making for the open leads and thin places to blow. 



Friday, March 31. — I studied the wind blowing along the 



