I903] ARRIVAL OF THE 'MORNING' 119 



ship in sight, it was a very different matter, and few found 

 much sleep that night whilst waiting and wondering what news 

 that distant vessel might bear. 



Early on the 24th a large party set out over the floe, and 

 after marching a few miles could see clearly the masts and 

 yards of the relieving vessel, which lay at the limit of the fast 

 ice some ten miles north of the * Discovery,' and comparatively 

 close to the Dellbridge Islets. The last mile was covered with 

 difficulty, as here the ice was only a thin sludgy sheet which 

 had formed since August, and which would only bear those who 

 were fortunate enough to be wearing ski. There was much 

 shouting and gesticulation, and one or two of the most eager, 

 sinking waist-deep in the treacherous surface, had to be 

 rescued with boards and ropes ; but at last our party stood on 

 the deck of the ' Morning,' and the greetings which followed 

 can be well imagined. Those who had remained in the 

 ' Discovery ' were not forgotten, and soon the sledges were 

 speeding back, dragged by willing hands and stacked high 

 with the welcome mail-bags. 



During the last week of the month the weather remained 

 gloriously fine ; some of the treacherous thin ice broke away, 

 allowing the * Morning ' to approach us by about a mile ; other- 

 wise all was placid. In the bright sunshine parties were 

 constantly passing to and fro, and all gave themselves up to 

 the passing hour in the delight of fresh companionship and the 

 joy of good news from the home country, and with an unshaken 

 confidence that the ' Discovery ' would soon be freed from her 

 icy prison. 



It was thus that I found things on my return on February 3, 

 and when I and my companions, the last to open our letters, 

 could report that all was well, we had the satisfaction of knowing 

 that the ' Morning ' had brought nothing but good news. 



