i9] MT. EREBUS IN SIGHT in 



is much better, but Browning is very bad again. We camped 

 soon after 6, all very tired. Distance 6 miles. 



October 10. Turned out at 5 A.M. to find a lovely day with 

 bright sun but a cold wind. At 7.30 just after starting a low 

 drift got up and the wind was freshening but bitterly cold, so 

 cold in fact that at lunchtime we only stopped long enough to 

 eat some frozen meat and blubber, and then were off again over 

 these endless undulations that give one the impression of always 

 going up hill. At last on one of the undulations we saw sea ice 

 to the southward, and a few minutes afterwards Dickason 

 pointed to a white mass, looking like a cloud, which I made out 

 to be Mount Erebus. While crossing another long undulation 

 about three-quarters of a mile across, we came to a cliff barring 

 our passage, but by bearing to the east, we found a place where 

 we could cross the big crevasse that lay in front of it by a snow 

 drift. The crevasse was about 10 yards wide, but well bridged. 

 Once on top we saw the sea ice below us and about a mile and a 

 half ahead. The drift which had been blinding in the squalls 

 now cleared and we had a good view. 



The sea ice seemed fast as far as we could see in all direc- 

 tions and this was a great relief to us. The Drygalski had not 

 been so formidable as I expected in spite of the broken ice; we 

 only broke through into a few crevasses, although I have no 

 doubt there are plenty there. 



They are well bridged after the winter. We had no trouble 

 in getting down to the sea ice, as hard snow drifts completely hid 

 the south cliff. At 6 P.M. we camped, all tired but very pleased 

 at having the Drygalski behind us and good sea ice in front. We 

 had an extra biscuit and a stick of chocolate to celebrate the 

 occasion. The night was very cold but fine. We have crossed 

 to the westward of David's route. 



I think distance about 7 miles. 



October 1 1. Westerly wind with heavy drift, and very cold. 

 As there was no improvement after breakfast we turned in again. 

 About 2 P.M. a solitary Emperor penguin came and called out- 

 side the tent. We went outside and killed and butchered him; 

 his heart and liver are in the hoosh pot as I write this. The re- 

 mainder of his flesh, which is not bad raw when it is frozen, we 

 cut up into thin strips to eat on the march. It was very cold work 

 cutting him up in the wind. 



