I9 o 2 ] A FATAL DECISION 177 



much as possible under their lee and pitched our tents, getting 

 the men in as quickly as possible.' 



The tents being up, the party crept into them, already 

 exhausted from their heavy pull up the long incline, and more 

 or less frost-bitten from their last efforts in the driving snow. 

 At ordinary times hot tea or cocoa would have revived their 

 spirits, but now neither cooking apparatus was in order, and 

 they could not even melt the snow to drink with their icy cold 

 lunch. We afterwards weathered many a gale in our staunch 

 little tents, whilst their canvas sides flapped thunderously hour 

 after hour, and we, ensconced in our sleeping-bags, passed our 

 time, if not in comfort, at least without sense of danger. But 

 to this party the experience was new ; they expected each gust 

 that swept down on them would bear the tents bodily away, 

 and meanwhile the chill air crept through their leather boots 

 and ill-considered clothing, and continually some frost-bitten 

 limb had to be nursed back to life. It was small wonder that 

 the position seemed intolerable, that their thoughts turned to the 

 comforts of the ship which they imagined to be within a mile 

 or so of them ; and after some discussion the fatal decision was 

 made to abandon their sledges and attempt to reach her. 



We knew well enough afterwards the rashness of attempting 

 to move in an Antarctic snowstorm, but at this time it was 

 impossible for us to have known fully the serious nature of 

 such an act and the utter confusion which must ensue. It was 

 an experience which had to be bought, and this party were 

 destined to pay the price. 



At this juncture Barne's report proceeds : ' . . . The tents 

 were rolled up and secured, the dogs unharnessed, and we left 

 the sledges. Before leaving I impressed on the men, as 

 strongly as I could, the importance of keeping together, as it 

 was impossible to distinguish any object at a greater distance 

 than ten yards on account of the drifting snow. The two men 

 wearing fur boots had a man on either side to prevent them 

 from slipping. Our progress was very slow, as we were greatly 

 delayed by the men in fur boots, who had difficulty in walking 

 on the slippery, uneven surface. As we proceeded the surface 



vol. 1. N 



