194 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Nov. 



the taking of observations. I plant the theodoUte as close as 

 possible to the tent to gain what shelter I can, but it is im- 

 possible to get away from the wind, which punishes one badly 

 at such times.' 



^November 28. — To-day we have a new development in the 

 weather. The sky has been overcast with a bank of stratus 

 cloud ; the light has been very bad, and we have had the 

 usual difficulty under such conditions in keeping our course. 

 This is really serious. At this altitude I had expected at least 

 the single advantage of a clear sky, but if we are to have over- 

 cast weather, our return journey will be a difficult matter. I 

 almost thought of stopping to-day, but reflecting that days of 

 this sort cannot be common, I resolved to push on to the 

 appointed date.' 



'November 29. — Started in moderately bad light, but in 

 half an hour struggled through sastrugi to a decent surface and 

 did a long march. Stopped for a minute or two to dig down 

 in an apparent crevass, but found, as I expected, that the 

 resemblance was superficial. We have not seen a crack, 

 crevass, or sign of ice-disturbance since we reached the 

 summit. 



' Our finneskoes are getting very worn. Evans has had to 

 take to his spare pair, but Lashly and I still have ours in 

 reserve. One of the pair I am using, however, is scarcely good 

 for more than two or three marches. We are all in excellent 

 condition and health : not a sign of the scurvy fiend has 

 appeared, though I watch narrowly for it.' 



' Novefuber 30. — We have finished our last outward march, 

 thank heaven ! Nothing has kept us going during the past 

 week but the determination to carry out our original intention 

 of going on to the end of the month, and so here we have 

 pitched our last camp. We made an excellent march in the 

 forenoon, and started well after lunch, when we could see the 

 sun gleaming on a more than ordinarily steep incline ahead. 

 I altered course a little to take it square, and soon we were 

 amongst heavy sastrugi. I think it must have taken an hour 

 and a half to struggle through. It is not that it reduces our 



