94 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [1902- 



CHAPTER XV 



WHAT HAD HAPPENED DURING OUR ABSENCE IN THE SOUTH 



Royds' Journey to CapeCrozier — The King's Birthday — Athletic Sports — 

 The Western Journey— Difficulties amongst the Mountains — Ascent of 

 the Ferrar Glacier — Approaching the Summit — First Party on the 

 Interior of Victoria Land — Return of Western Party — Summer Thaw- 

 ing — About the Islands to the South-West — Curious Ice Formations — 

 Recovery of the Boats— Preparing for Sea —History of the Relief 

 Expedition — Arrival of the ' Morning.' 



Up along the hostile mountains where the 

 Hair-poised snow-slide shivers. — Kipling. 



As cold waters to a thirsty soul, 



So is good news from a far country. — Proverbs. 



During our long absence in the south much work had been 

 done both on board the ship and by parties travelling in 

 various directions, wherefore it can be imagined that I set 

 myself with no little eagerness to gather the particulars of this 

 employment, and especially to learn how it had fared with 

 those who had undertaken the more extended journey to the 

 west. 



It was soon evident that since our departure the sledging 

 resources of the ship had been utilised to the fullest extent ; 

 the ship herself had become the centre of the busiest activity, 

 and throughout the summer parties had been going and 

 coming, ever adding something to the knowledge of our 

 surroundings. 



On November 2, Royds had again journeyed to Cape 

 Crozier to see how matters went with the Emperor penguins, 



