246 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [July 



which had been left near here before the gale. The course of 

 events is not very clear, but it looks as though the gale pressed 

 up the crack, raising broken pieces of the thin ice formed after 

 recent opening movements. These raised pieces had become 

 nuclei of hea\-y snow drifts, which in turn weighing down the 

 floe had allowed water to flow in over the sledge level. It is 

 surprising to find such a big disturbance from what appears 

 to be a simple cause. This crack is now joined, and the con- 

 traction is taking on a new one which has opened much nearer 

 to us and seems to run to C. Barne, 



We have noticed a very curious appearance of heavenly 

 bodies when setting in a north-westerly direction. About the 

 time of midwinter the moon observed in this position appeared 

 in a much distorted shape of blood red colour. It might have 

 been a red flare or distant bonfire, but could not have been 

 guessed for the moon. Yesterday the planet Venus appeared 

 under similar circumstances as a ship's side-light or Japanese 

 lantern. In both cases there was a flickering in the light and 

 a change of colour from deep orange yellow to blood red, but 

 the latter was dominant. 



Thursday, July 20, Friday 21, Saturday 22. — There is very 

 little to record — the horses are going on well, all are in good 

 form, at least for the moment. They drink a good deal of water 

 in the morning. 



Saturday, July 22, continued. — This and the better ventila- 

 tion of the stable make for improvement we think — perhaps 

 the increase of salt allowance is also beneficial. 



To-day we have another raging blizzard — the wind running 

 up to 72 m.p.h. in gusts — one way and another the Crozier 

 Party must have had a pretty poor time.* I am thankful to 

 remember that the light will be coming on apace now. 



Monday, July 24. — The blizzard continued throughout yes- 

 terday (Sunday), in the evening reaching a record force of 82 

 m.p.h. The vane of our anemometer is somewhat sheltered: 

 Simpson finds the hill readings 20 per cent, higher. Hence in 

 such gusts as this the free wind must reach nearly 100 m.p.h. — 

 a hurricane force. To-day Nelson found that his sounding sledge 

 had been turned over. We passed a quiet Sunday with the usual 



* This was the gale that tore away the roofing of their hut, and left them with only 

 their sleeping-bags for shelter. See p. 365. 



