78 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' Qan. 



' In the morning march we had bright sunlight, and it 

 cheered us all wonderfully after its long absence. We could 

 see the northern side of the high rounded snow-cape abreast 

 of which we left our depot, and which we have always known 

 as "Cape A." This northern side forms the southern 

 boundary of the great glacier which occupies the strait, and it 

 is very steep, with high frowning cliffs. We are now crossing 

 more directly across the mouth of the strait, and there are 

 already indications of ice disturbances ; we have been travel- 

 ling over slight undulations and most confused sastrugi. 



' Shackleton's state last night was highly alarming ; he 

 scarcely slept at all, and had violent paroxysms of coughing, 

 between which he was forced to gasp for breath. This morn- 

 ing to our relief he was better, and this evening he is rather 

 better than last, though very fagged with the day's work. We 

 try to make him do as little pulling as possible until the pace 

 is settled, and he can lean steadily forward in his harness. 



' It is early to judge, but the double ration of seal-meat 

 seems already to have a good effect : gums seem a trifle better. 

 On the other hand, I have some stiffness in the right foot, 

 which I suppose is caused by the taint, but at present I have 

 not mentioned it, as my gums look so well that I am in hopes 

 it will pass away.' 



^January i6. — The sledges have been running easily, and 

 we have made a good march, but the surface is getting more 

 uneven, and under the dark, gloomy sky we could not see the 

 inequalities and stumbled frequently. This sort of thing is 

 very bad for Shackleton ; twice he slipped his leg down a deep 

 crack and fell heavily, and on each occasion we had to stop 

 several minutes for him to recover. He has been coughing 

 and spitting up blood again, and at lunch time was very 

 " groggy." With his excitable temperament it is especially 

 difficult for him to take things quietly, and at the end of each 

 march he is panting, dizzy, and exhausted. 



' It is all very dreadful to watch, knowing that we can do 

 nothing to reheve him ; if at the ship, he would be sent 

 straight to bed, but here every effort must be made to keep 



