112 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [OCTOBER 



The sun came out and the wind and drift eased in the even- 

 ing, so Abbott and I repacked the sledges, securing the wooden 

 one on top of the iron-runner sledge. We find this the best ar- 

 rangement for sea ice, although the resultant load is rather top 

 heavy. It was very cold and we got our hands very badly 

 frostbitten. 



October 12. A cold wind but clear when we turned out at 

 4.30 A.M. 



We were off before 7 over a fair surface. Soon after lunch 

 we had some trouble with pressure ice, resulting in one upset. 

 A lovely evening when we camped that night, Erebus and Mel- 

 bourne both being in sight. Browning was better but still had 

 bad cramping pains in his stomach. Distance 1 1 miles. 



October 13. A disappointing day, overcast, light northerly 

 airs, and not much pressure, but a very heavy drag through deep 

 crusted snow. We were all very tired when we camped. Dis- 

 tance 7 miles. We passed a track which at first we thought had 

 been left by a sledge but afterwards proved to be that of a seal. 



October 14. The weather was much the same to-day as yes- 

 terday, but the surface was better. We pulled in shore to avoid 

 heavy pressure which ran across our bows. A haze of snow 

 crystals obscured the land, and this made the journey tedious 

 and we were glad to camp, having done about 10 miles, but not 

 I fear half that on our course. The prevailing ridges run about 

 N.N.E. 



October 15. A fine morning, but cold wind from south. We 

 turned out at 4.45 and for the first two hours made good prog- 

 ress. The sun came out quite hot and the wind dropped in the 

 middle of the day, so that we were able to spend an hour over 

 lunch. The mirage was wonderful, the pressure to the south- 

 ward being seen inverted in the sky. 



We came across more tracks, which I think must be seal. It 

 is curious that we have seen no animals; I can only account for it 

 by presuming that this is old ice with no cracks. Soon after 4 

 we had to cross pressure ridges, for though we had been dodging 

 them since lunch, they now became so high we had to camp and 

 repack sledges. We shall have to relay the sledges to-morrow, 

 taking them over one at a time. 



Distance about 10 miles, but not half that on our course. A 

 clear but cold evening. 



