74 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



It was clear that we were practically cut off, certainly as 

 regards heavy transport. Bowers went back again with Meares 

 and managed to ferry over some wind clothes and odds and ends. 

 Since that no communication has been held; the shore party 

 have been working, but the people on board have had a half 

 holiday. 



At 6 I went to the ice edge farther to the north. I found 

 a place where the ship could come and be near the heavy ice 

 over which sledging is still possible. I went near the ship and 

 semaphored directions for her to get to this place as soon as she 

 could, using steam if necessary. She is at present wedged in with 

 the pack, and I think Pennell hopes to warp her along when the 

 pack loosens. 



Meares and I marked the new trail with kerosene tins be- 

 fore returning. So here we are waiting again till fortune is 

 kinder. Meanwhile the hut proceeds; altogether there are four 

 layers of boarding to go on, two of which are nearing com- 

 pletion; it will be some time before the rest and the insulation 

 is on. 



It's a big job getting settled in like this and a tantalising 

 one when one is hoping to do some depot work before the 

 season closes. 



We had a keen north wind to-night and a haze, but wind 

 is dropping and sun shining brightly again. To-day seemed to 

 be the hottest we have yet had; after walking across I was 

 perspiring freely, and later as I sat in the sun after lunch one 

 could almost imagine a warm summer day in England. 



This is my first night ashore. I'm writing in one of my new 

 domed tents which makes a very comfortable apartment. 



Monday, January 9. I didn't poke my nose out of my 

 tent till 6.45, and the first object I saw was the ship, which 

 had not previously been in sight from our camp. She was now 

 working her way along the ice edge with some difficulty. I heard 

 afterwards that she had started at 6.15 and she reached the 

 point I marked yesterday at 8.15. After breakfast I went on 

 board and was delighted to find a good solid road right up to 

 the ship. A flag was hoisted immediately for the ponies to come 

 out, and we commenced a good day's work. All day the sledges 

 have been coming to and fro, but most of the pulling work has 

 been done by the ponies : the track is so good that these little 



