1 84 WITH SCOTT: THE SILVER LINING 



ahead. Evans said an icefoot ; I said boxes. They turned 

 out to be bales of fodder nearly covered and an empty dog- 

 biscuit box. From here tracks of five sledges (no ponies) 

 lead to Pram Point. We piled up fodder higher, and left 

 map and note tied to our depot pole.* By this time wind 

 getting stronger. 



" We marched on over undulations, mostly heavy going. 

 Wind from the south-east. About 11.30 a.m. followed sledge 

 track right to a narrow gulf leading into Barrier, with broken 

 block sticking out. Ice twenty to thirty feet above water, 

 some snowy, new ice in the open gulf (elsewhere all clear 

 water). The shore went nearly due west from here. We 

 crossed a strong crack rising several feet. C. S. W.'s foot 

 went in here. I deviated to north-east from here, and pulled 

 three-quarters of an hour in worse wind and drift. Camped 

 at 12.45, about four miles from main edge and one and a half 

 from crack (and edge). Very blowy and blinding, and cold. 

 Had lunch and no better ! Stayed in tent, and here we are 

 held up indefinitely only six or seven miles from the Hut ! 

 We tried dancing to warm feet. Played cards, sang, changed 

 socks. Finally, about 4.30, all went outside and filled cooker 

 with snow. We decided to have an early supper and turn 

 into »our wet bags. We lit the Primus, and let the flames 

 singe our feet to warm them. Talked of Cambridge cake and 

 tea and other delights. I put on pyjama pants for the first 

 time. It may prevent chills to-night, but I doubt it. Evans 

 told cheerful tale of snow wall round tent at Cape Crozier, 

 when they were pinned in for five days in September in 1903 ! 



" We can't see a hundred feet anywhere. The rime is 

 dripping down my neck and covering our bags. Drifts are 

 slipping off the tent. Wind veering somewhat southerly from 

 south-east. Now and again we peeped out of doors. No 

 improvement. Couldn't get into shore probably to camp, as 

 water is evidently exceptionally far to east. No camping on 

 slopes, I understand, and daren't try to reach the Hut (eight 

 miles or more round) in this damned young blizzard. Guess 

 we'll shiver it out. Underpants make much warmer, but toes 

 nearly as cold as ever. 5.30 p.m. Booming of lid of biscuit- 

 tin outside is like Inchcape Bell." 



* The other parties had all returned from the Barrier a fortnight before 

 to Hut Point. 



