1903] DEPARTURE OF THE 'MORNING' 129 



before this final merry-making came to an end, and the 

 occupants of the crowded wardroom rolled themselves into 

 blankets to snatch a few hours' rest. 



' During the night the temperature had fallen to zero, and 

 young ice had formed over the open water ; it needed no great 

 experience to see that it was quite time that our farewells were 

 said. The morning proved overcast and gloomy, and as we 

 snatched a hasty breakfast a strong south-easterly wind sprang 

 up, drifting thick clouds of snow across the floe and dissipating 

 the young ice to seaward. It was not a cheering scene for our 

 leave-taking, but delay was impossible. 



' At length we of the " Discovery," with our belongings, 

 were mustered on the floe ; the last good-byes had been said, 

 and the last messages were being shouted as the " Morning " 

 slowly backed away from the ice-edge ; in a few minutes she 

 was turning to the north, every rope and spar outlined against 

 the black northern sky. Cheer after cheer was raised as she 

 gradually gathered way, and long after she had passed out of 

 earshot our forlorn little band stood gazing at her receding hull, 

 following in our minds her homeward course and wondering 

 when we too should be permitted to take that northern track. 



' Then we turned our faces to the south, and, after a long 

 and tiring walk against the keen wind, have reached our own 

 good ship ; so now we must settle down again into our old 

 routine. If the ice does not break up we are cut off from 

 civilisation for at least another year, but I do not think that 

 prospect troubles anyone very much. We are prepared to 

 take things as they come, but one wonders what the future has 

 in store for us.' 



^ March 13. — I have abandoned all hope of the ice going 

 out. The most optimistic members of our community still 

 climb up the Arrival Heights in hopes of bringing back favour- 

 able reports, but it is long since they have been able to return 

 with cheerful faces. We had a strong north-easterly blow on 

 the 5th and 6th, during which hope ran high, and was followed 

 by much excitement when Dellbridge dashed on board to say 

 that nearly all the ice had gone out, and that the open water 



VOL. II. K 



