i 9 o 4 ] ARRANGING FOR ABANDONMENT 245 



for my part, except as regards damage to his ship, I think he 

 might as well try to " butt " through Cape Royds. However, 

 he is to make the attempt to-morrow or the next day, and it is 

 perhaps as well that every expedient should be tried. We can 

 but try every means in our power and leave Providence to do 

 the rest ; but it looks as though Providence will have a very 

 large share. 



* There is a light snowfall to-night ; the penguins are un- 

 usually quiet, and the skuas lie low on the rocks; does this 

 mean a blow ? It is a curious irony of fate that makes one 

 pray for a gale in these regions, but at present bad weather 

 seems the only thing that can help us.' 



1 January 9. — At the main camp. Came up from Cape 

 Royds last night intending to reach the ship this morning. 

 This resulted in rather a curious experience. I started early 

 and trudged on towards the ship through snow that has be- 

 come rather deep and sticky. Half-way across the air grew 

 thick and misty. I lost sight of all landmarks, but went on 

 for some time guided by the sun, which showed faintly at my 

 back. After a while the sun vanished, but thinking I might 

 make some sort of general direction I turned towards the land 

 and plodded on ; for nearly an hour I saw nothing, but then 

 suddenly came across fresh footsteps ; they were my own ! 

 I naturally decided that this was not good enough, so turned 

 to retrace the track towards the camp; a mile back I fell across 

 a sledge party, and on inquiring where they were going was 

 told that they had been following my footsteps to the ship. 

 Needless to say, we are all back at the main camp again.' 



'January 10. — Reached the ship this morning and this 

 afternoon assembled all hands on the mess-deck, where I told 

 them exactly how matters stood. There was a stony silence. 

 I have not heard a laugh in the ship since I returned.' 



* January 11. — I have decided to arrange for the transport 

 of our collections and instruments to the relief ships. To-day 

 the officers have been busy making out lists of the things to be 

 sent.' 



'January 13. — For some time we have had a flagstaff on 



