S»S»W", over the Victoria Land Plateau — 

 seemed impossible of explanation^ It was 

 generally believed, however, that the strength 

 of the meteorological element had prevailed in 

 this decision, as it was decidedly a chance to 

 get abundance of high-level data. Some of the 

 more outspoken, irritated by the monotony 

 of the journey, now expressed themselves in no 

 measured terms regarding the alteration of the 

 original plans. More especially had discontent 

 arisen because of the fact that this had entailed 

 the substitution of man^power to the extent of 

 the combined strength of the expedition in place 

 of the ponies. ^ To-day the march proved 

 more interesting, as scarcely had we got pro^ 

 perly under way before the Commander drew 

 our attention to a peculiar appearance in the 

 sky, somewhat to the west of our course. It 

 was like nothing he had had experience of in 

 this latitude during his previous exploration 

 with Captain Scott along the Great Ice Barrier. 

 Resembling open water, it suggested possi^ 

 bilities we had never till now entertained. As 

 the day wore on, the more real did this pheno- 

 menon appear, so that every one was fired 

 with a new enthusiasm. The new sledges no 

 longer seemed to offer any resistance, so that we 

 pressed onwards at a brisk pace for two days. 

 30 



