2i 6 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [MAY 



to steer by, and using the sastrugi for this purpose we only com- 

 pleted 3^2 miles by i o'clock and then camped for a meal. Soon 

 after, the weather cleared slightly and we started to make our 

 way to Hut Point. We found that the sea ice had again gone 

 out close to Hut Point, but by keeping well to the south and com- 

 pleting 15 miles, a very good march for the day, we arrived at 

 Hut Point in the dark. I have never known a journey have such 

 an effect upon a party in such a short time. 



On the 23rd, the day we returned, we saw the sun for the last 

 time until his return in August. The greater part of this jour- 

 ney was done in the dusk. Wright, owing to the low tempera- 

 ture, was unable to wear his glasses. The light being bad and 

 he short-sighted, he marched under a very great disadvantage. 

 I have spoken before of his loyalty and good-comradeship. 

 Petty Officer Keohane behaved splendidly on the Barrier in the 

 latter end of March and beginning of April and again on this 

 journey. Williamson's conduct was also splendid in every way. 

 The next few days we spent at Hut Point drying out our gear, 

 which was badly iced, and getting some sleep, which we all 

 needed. We began to realise that it was a question now of 

 making the best of circumstances and waiting till the spring of 

 the year before anything further could be done. At Hut Point 

 Cherry-Garrard, Gran, and Demetri had remained, and their 

 task of waiting had been by no means the easier one. 



As winter drew on, we had now to return to the base. On 

 April 28 Wright, Gran, and Keohane started to make their way 

 back to Cape Evans over the sea ice. Soon after they had 

 rounded the point it began to blow very stiffly and they ran for 

 safety to the Glacier Tongue; they crossed very thin and bad 

 sea ice, Wright having to go ahead at the full length of the 

 Alpine rope. When they arrived eventually at Cape Evans it 

 was dark and blowing a blizzard. They were lost on the 

 Cape for some time, but eventually found the hut and were in 

 safety. 



On May i Cherry-Garrard, Demetri, Williamson, and I 

 returned to Cape Evans with the two dog teams. There we 

 started to settle in for the winter and gradually took up the 

 winter routine. 



Everything was well at the hut at Cape Evans and work, 

 scientific and otherwise, had been proceeding as usual. We early 



