CHAPTER XIII 



JOURNEY TO THE FARTHEST SOUTH 



Future Plans Modified by Reconnaissance Journeys — Trip to Cape Crozier 

 — Start of the Southern Journey — Depot ' A ' — Description of the Dog 

 Team — Equipment of Sledges — Return of Supporting Party — Failure 

 of the Dogs— Relay Work — Dog-driving — Dog-food — Atmospheric 

 Phenomenon— Cracking of the Surface Crust — New Land in Sight — 

 Beautiful Effects Produced by Snow-crystals— Dogs Weakening —Slow 

 Progress — Depot ' B ' — The Chasm — Pushing Southward — Increase 

 of Hunger — Further Land— Scurvy Appearing — Cooking-arrange- 

 ments — Soft Snow — Experiences with the Dogs — Christmas Day and 

 its Good Cheer. 



Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit 

 To his full height. . . . 



. . . Shew us here 

 That you are worth your breeding, which I doubt not. 

 For there is none so mean or base 

 That have not noble lustre in your eyes. 

 I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, 

 Straining upon the start. — Shakespeare. 



Although the gravity of our outbreak of scurvy was not under- 

 rated, and we had been busied in measures for the prevention 

 of its recurrence, it must not be supposed that we had allowed 

 it in any way to interfere with our plans for the future. Our 

 preparations were pushed on as vigorously as though no such 

 cloud had come to overshadow the brightness of our outlook. 



The general results of the spring journeys had enabled us 

 to lay our plans for the summer with greater definition. Our 

 reconnaissance to the south had indicated that the main party, 



VOL. II. B 



