196 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Nov. 



but we know that beyond that horizon are hundreds and even 

 thousands of miles which can offer no change to the weary 

 eye, while on the vast expanse that one's mind conceives one 

 knows there is neither tree nor shrub, nor any living thing, 

 nor even inanimate rock — nothing but this terrible limitless 

 expanse of snow. It has been so for countless years, and 

 it will be so for countless more. And we, little human 

 insects, have started to crawl over this awful desert, and 

 are now bent on crawling back again. Could anything be more 

 terrible than this silent, wind-swept immensity when one thinks 

 such thoughts? 



'Luckily, the gloom of the outer world has not been 

 allowed to enter the door of our tent. My companions spare 

 no time for solemn thought ; they are invariably cheerful and 

 busy. Few of our camping hours go by without a laugh from 

 Evans and a song from Lashly. I have not quite penetrated 

 the latter yet ; there is only one verse, which is about the 

 plucking of a rose. It can scarcely be called a finished musical 

 performance, but I should miss it much if it ceased. 



1 We are all very proud of our march out. I don't know 

 where we are, but I know we must be a long way to the west 

 from my rough noon observation of the compass variation ; 

 besides which we cannot have marched so many hours without 

 covering a long distance. We have been discussing this matter 

 at supper, and wondering whether future explorers will travel 

 further over this inhospitable country. Evans remarked that if 

 they did they " would have to leg it," and indeed I think they 

 would.' 



