394 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Oct. 



the corner of the island and steered for the ship. At 12.30 

 passed clear of broken surface, and camped for lunch at one 

 o'clock. After tea, cheese, and jam, prepared to start, and 

 found fog had lifted in rear showing island at our back. In 

 afternoon were able to steer by sun, though still very thick 

 ahead ; suddenly Erebus appeared above fog, and ten minutes 

 later we found ourselves within a mile of Observation Hill and 

 going directly for it. The tired dogs set up a yap of delight 

 and sprang forward with fresh energy, and soon we were home. 



' We have covered eighty-five statute miles in less than 

 three days, which is not bad going, especially as we have 

 almost had to feel our way along. However, there is no 

 longer a doubt that our road to the south should lie outside, 

 and not inside, the White Island. 



' I did not realise that the ship could be such a delightful 

 place as I have found it to-night ; the sense of having done 

 what one wanted to do, and the knowledge that we have 

 a far clearer problem before us in the south, have much to 

 do with one's feelings of satisfaction, but it is the actual 

 physical comfort of everything that affects one most ; a bath 

 and a change into warm dry clothing have worked wonders. 

 The knowledge that one can sit at ease in warmth and 

 comfort, without being swathed to the chin in clothing, is an 

 immense relief, and the prospect of creeping into a bed 

 without the usual accompaniment of ice is an even greater 

 one ; but the greatest delight of all is to possess the sledging 

 appetite in the midst of plenty.' 



The joy of this possession was beyond description, and 

 the feats of food-consumption which were performed by the 

 possessors might well be beyond ordinary belief. For many 

 days after we returned from our sledging trips we retained 

 a hunger which it seemed impossible to satisfy. The ordinary 

 frugal meals served at our table seemed to us to be heaven- 

 sent feasts ; at each meal one partook ravenously of everything, 

 and though one ate to repletion, half-an-hour later one would 

 be searching for bread and butter and chocolate. For the 

 first few days, when this sledging j appetite was keenest, the 



