94 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



Then she gathered stern way and was clear. The relief 

 was enormous. 



The wind dropped as she came off, and she is now securely 

 moored off the northern ice edge, where I hope the greater 

 number of her people are finding rest. For here and now I 

 must record the splendid manner in which these men are work- 

 ing. I find it difficult to express my admiration for the manner 

 in which the ship is handled and worked under these very trying 

 circumstances. 



From Pennell down there is not an officer or man who has 

 not done his job nobly during the past weeks, and it will be 

 a glorious thing to remember the unselfish loyal help they are 

 giving us. 



Pennell has been over to tell me all about it to-night; I think 

 I like him more every day. 



Campbell and his party returned late this afternoon I have 

 not heard details. 



Meares and Oates went to the Glacier Tongue and satisfied 

 themselves that the ice is good. It only has to remain another 

 three days, and it would be poor luck if it failed in that time. 



Sunday, January 22. A quiet day with little to record. 



The ship lies peacefully in the bay; a brisk northerly breeze 

 in the forenoon died to light airs in the evening it is warm 

 enough, the temperature in the hut was 63 this evening. We 

 have had a long busy day at clothing everyone sewing away 

 diligently. The Eastern Party ponies were put on board the 

 ship this morning. 



Monday, January 23. Placid conditions last for a very 

 short time in these regions. I got up at 5 this morning to 

 find the weather calm and beautiful, but to my astonishment an 

 opening lane of water between the land and the ice in the bay. 

 The latter was going out in a solid mass. 



The ship discovered it easily, got up her ice anchors, sent 

 a boat ashore, and put out to sea to dredge. We went on with 

 our preparations, but soon Meares brought word that the ice 

 in the south bay was going in an equally rapid fashion. This 

 proved an exaggeration, but an immense piece of floe had sepa- 

 rated from the land. Meares and I walked till we came to the 

 first ice. Luckily we found that it extends for some 2 miles 

 along the rock of our Cape, and we discovered a possible way 



