THE POLAR JOURNEY 385 



well, so there was no more need for us to go on farther ; so 

 we stopped and did all the talking we could in a short time. 

 We wished them every success and a safe return, and asked 

 each one if there was anything we could do for them when 

 we got back, but they were all satisfied they had left 

 nothing undone, so the time came for the last handshake 

 and good-bye. I think we all felt it very much. They then 

 wished us a speedy return and safe, and then they moved 

 off. We gave them three cheers, and watched them for a 

 while until we began to feel cold. Then we turned and 

 started for home. We soon lost sight of each other. We 

 travelled a long time so as to make the best of it while the 

 weather was suitable, as we have to keep up a good pace on 

 the food allowance. It wont do to lay up much. One thing 

 since we left Mt. Darwin, we have had weather we could 

 travel in, although we have not seen the sun much of late. 

 We did 1 3 miles as near as we can guess by the cairns we 

 have passed. We have not got a sledge meter so shall have 

 to go by guess all the way home. 



[Owing to the loss of a sledge meter on the Beardmore 

 Glacier one of the three parties had to return without one. 

 A sledge meter gives the navigator his dead reckoning, in- 

 dicating the miles travelled, like the log of a ship. To be 

 deprived of it in a wilderness of snow without landmarks 

 adds enormously to the difficulties and anxieties of a sledge 

 party.] 



§tk January 1912. 



We were up and off this morning, the weather being 

 fine but the surface is about the same, the temperature 

 keeps low. We have got to change our pulling billets. 

 Crean has become snow-blind to-day through being leader, 

 so I shall have the job to-morrow, as Mr. Evans seems to 

 get blind rather quickly, so if I lead and he directs me from 

 behind we ought to get along pretty well. I hope my eyes 

 will keep alright. We made good 1 7 miles and camped. 



6th January 19 12. 



We are making good progress on the surface we have 

 to contend with. We picked up the 3 Degree Depot soon 



2 c 



