i9l PLANS FOR THE SEARCH 225 



On July the i6th we had probably the most beautiful day of 

 the year. The whole northern sky was filled with opalescent 

 clouds, and owing to some white ice instead of the black water 

 in the North Bay, the increase of light seemed very appreciable. 

 The mules were now exercised regularly on the ice in the South 

 Bay, and by this means their leaders were able to take them over 

 greater distances. Their condition began gradually to improve, 

 and the way they had come through the winter so far reflected 

 great credit on the care taken by Lashly. 



On the 1 9th the plans for the Southern journey were laid 

 before the other members. Debenham, who had been suffering 

 from an old knee injury at football, and Archer were the two 

 members who would have to remain by the hut. 



It was a sad blow to both of them to realise their position, 

 but they accepted it cheerfully. The plan was to provide enough 

 provisions to enable two parties, each a unit of four, to ascend 

 the Beardmore Glacier, and two dog teams with a unit of three 

 men to return from some point not as yet settled. Of the men 

 ascending the glacier, four were to remain at the Cloud-maker 

 and collect geological specimens, photograph, and do survey 

 work. They would then proceed to the foot of the glacier and 

 continue doing this same work until the return of the others, for 

 all this time they were needed as a support by the advance party. 

 This advance party, the other unit of four, would ascend to the 

 top of the glacier if it were necessary to go so far. On their 

 return to the foot of the glacier both units would march home. 

 At this time it was believed by most of us that an accident had 

 occurred to the Southern Party, probably at the lower reaches 

 of the Beardmore, in bad weather, and that sickness had noth- 

 ing to do with the disaster. 



As there was no food either for dogs, mules, or men in any 

 of the depots, the initial starting weights would have to be very 

 large. To help as far as possible some small depot journeys 

 would be made in the spring. During the whole winter so far the 

 cheerfulness of the party had been splendid under the most trying 

 conditions, but there now seemed to be an added sprightliness 

 with the return of light. 



Nelson had been occupying his time by a very ingenious 

 method of predicting occultations. He predicted altogether 

 nearly fifty, but unfortunately was only able to get one or two 



VOL. II 15 



