I9I2] A SICK COMRADE 393 



to the sandy snowdrifts similar to those on summit, partly to our 

 torn sledge runners. At lunch these were scraped and sand- 

 papered. After lunch we got on snow, with ice only occasionally 

 showing through. A poor start, but the gradient and wind im- 

 proving, we did 6^ miles before night camp. 



There is no getting away from the fact that we are not going 

 strong. Probably none of us : Wilson's leg still troubles him 

 and he doesn't like to trust himself on ski; but the worst case 

 is Evans, who is giving us serious anxiety. This morning he sud- 

 denly disclosed a huge blister on his foot. It delayed us on the 

 march, when he had to have his crampon readjusted. Sometimes 

 I fear he is going from bad to worse, but I trust he will pick 

 up again when we come to steady work on ski like this after- 

 noon. He is hungry and so is Wilson. We can't risk opening 

 out our food again, and as cook at present I am serving some- 

 thing under full allowance. We are inclined to get slack and 

 slow with our camping arrangements, and small delays increase. 

 I have talked of the matter to-night and hope for improvement. 

 We cannot do distance without the ponies. The next depot * 

 some 30 miles away and nearly 3 days' food in hand. 



Thursday, February 15. — R. 29. Lunch Temp. - 10°; Sup- 

 per Temp. —4°. 13-5 miles. Again we are running short of 

 provision. We don't know our distance from the depot, but 

 imagine about 20 miles. Heavy march — did 13^ (geo.). We 

 are pulling for food and not very strong evidently. In the 

 afternoon it was overcast; land blotted out for a considerable 

 interval. We have reduced food, also sleep; feeling rather done. 

 Trust 1 1/2 days or 2 at most will see us at depot. 



Friday, February 16. — 12-5 m. Lunch Temp. -6-i°; Sup- 

 per Temp. — 7°. A rather trying position. Evans has nearly 

 broken down in brain, we think. He is absolutely changed from 

 his normal self-reliant self. This morning and this afternoon 

 he stopped the march on some trivial excuse. We are on short 

 rations with not very short food; spin out till to-morrow night. 

 We cannot be more than 10 or 12 miles from the depot, but the 

 weather Is all against us. After lunch we were enveloped in 

 a snow sheet, land just looming. Memory should hold the events 

 of a very troublesome march with more troubles ahead. Per- 

 haps all will be well if we can get to our depot to-morrow fairly 



* The Lower Glacier Dep6t. 



