1903] DIFFICULT SURFACES 67 



sort of revival of Christmas Day j at present we have gained a 

 day on our allowance. We are positively ravenous, but this 

 thought is sending us to bed in a much happier frame of 

 mind.' 



'■January 8. — Truly our travelling is full of surprises. Last 

 night we had a mild snow-storm depositing flaky crystals, but 

 none of us guessed what the result would be. This morning 

 the air temperature had fallen to 22 , the snow surface was 

 2 3 , and below the upper layer 26 ; after breakfast the fog 

 gradually cleared, the sun came out, and a brisk northerly 

 breeze sprang up. We got into our harness in good time, 

 and, lo ! and behold, found we could scarcely move the 

 sledges. We scraped the runners and tried again without any 

 difference ; somewhat alarmed, we buckled to with all our 

 energy, and after three hours of the hardest work succeeded in 

 advancing one mile and a quarter ; then we camped to discuss 

 the matter. It was evident that the surface had completely 

 changed : last night we could have dragged double our present 

 load with ease ; this morning each step was a severe strain, we 

 were constantly brought to a standstill and had to break the 

 sledges away with a jerk. As the wind came up, the loose 

 snow settled into little sandy heaps, and seemed actually to 

 grip at the runners. We have decided to remain in camp until 

 the surface changes, but the question one cannot help asking 

 is, Will it change ? I suppose it is bound to come right, but 

 we have less than a week's provisions and are at least fifty 

 miles from the depot. Consequently the prospect of a daily 

 rate of one mile and a quarter does not smile on us — in fact, 

 we are none of us very cheerful to-night ; and to add to his 

 discomfort poor Shackleton has another bad attack of snow- 

 blindness. 



1 We got a clear view of the land this afternoon, and I was 

 able to get an excellent round of angles. We are opposite the 

 high pyramidal and tabular mountains once more, and get a 

 good idea of the general loftiness of the country. 



' " Birdie " remained behind at the camp this morning, but 

 came on later ; " Boss " has never rejoined — he must have 



F 2 



