' '' 'M 



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Ice crampons, devised in the winter 

 191 1. 



IN WINTER QUARTERS WITH CAPTAIN SCOTT 323 



by jumping. We reached the fixed moraines, and while 

 Wright set up the theodolite (and anathematized his frozen 

 fingers !) we discussed hot cocoa from a Thermos flask, and 

 biscuits and chocolate. The end stakes did not appear to 

 have moved much, but as we marched back on their line we 

 found very perceptible evidence of movement to the west. 

 Fourteen inches at first, then 7, 12, 14, 15, 15, 22, and 

 16 feet respectively, till we again reached the "nail-stake." 

 It was rather difficult aligning the stakes, owing to the cre- 

 vasses, but though some were ten feet wide they were all 

 open and so perfectly ob- 

 vious and safe. " Nelson 

 slipped in his felt boots, 

 but we could have walked 

 up an ice wall in our new 

 spiked crampons ! " 



The largest movement 

 was in the ice valley, and 

 though the maximum 22 

 feet was not certain, yet 

 there was no doubt about the record of 15 feet. This was 

 not nearly so much as recorded elsewhere for other Antarctic 

 glaciers ; but it must be remembered that only the ten coldest 

 months were involved in this test. 



On the 26th Captain Scott took two parties to see if he 

 could assist the motor party, who seemed to be held up near 

 Glacier Tongue. We saw no trace of them till near the 

 Tongue. Here we saw a black object, which, however, turned 

 out to be a seal scratching himself, though I had felt able to 

 recognize a motor and its driver ! 



We took a long time to catch them, which pleased us 

 greatly, for it meant they were doing better than we had 

 anticipated, but we caught them at Danger Cliffs. " They 

 had just done six miles and were very bucked in consequence." 



We were of some assistance in the next few miles. We 

 would drag the three huge trailer-sledges forward so as to 

 relieve the motor-sledge at its first plunge. Then " she'd 

 start with a jerk, Day sitting for the moment in the chair of 

 state and kicking up the floorboard to work the levers. Then 

 she'd stop ; then we'd curse. He would light up the petrol 

 lamp round the carburettor to warm her, and try various 



