A MONTH IN THE OLD DISCOVERT HUT 205 



inches thick, and Scott tested its bearing strength by the 

 simple method of jumping on it hard. It bent considerably, 

 and water gurgled up through the holes, but this new ice is 

 fairly tough. 



The surface was mottled, due to its being largely com- 

 posed of cemented pancake ice. The ice was mushy, and 

 overriding was very common. Occasional retreats and breaks 

 led to leads of open water. Scott pointed out to us where 

 Vince was lost in 1903 on the icy slopes to the south of Castle 

 Rock. We discussed what a man should do if he fell into 



, -0 



Testing the sea ice off Castle Rock, April 7, 191 1. Atkinson, Scott, 



and Taylor. 



the sea and was rescued, and Scott said the only thing was 

 to keep on the move. 



We crossed several " leads " of black ice, which I tested 

 first with the ice-axe. " I chipped at the next and saw that 

 the ice was more than an inch thick, so 1 boldly ambled 

 across. I made a long step and one leg gaily went through 

 and the other followed, but I hung by my arms fairly 

 comfortably. Luckily I had an ice-axe. Atkinson stretched 

 out his ski-stick, but I drove the pick in and pulled over to 

 the further firm ice and managed to slide out, while Scott 

 was getting over further to the north. The water was not 

 cold, and I didn't feel excited at all. I went in up to the 



