SUSPENSE 419 



but it was nothing to worry about for us, and was certainly 

 not colder than one could ordinarily have expected at this 

 time of year. 



Arrived at One Ton my first feeling was one of relief 

 that the Polar Party had not been to the Depot and that 

 therefore we had got their provisions out in time. The 

 question of what we were to do in the immediate future was 

 settled for us ; for four days out of the six during which we 

 were at One Ton the weather made travelling southwards, 

 that is against the wind, either entirely impossible or such 

 that the chance of seeing another party at any distance was 

 nil. On the two remaining days I could have run a day 

 farther South and back again, with the possibility of miss- 

 ing the party on the way. I decided to remain at the Depot 

 where we were certain to meet. 



On the day after we arrived at One Ton (March 4) 

 Dimitri came to me and said that the dogs ought to be 

 given more food, since they were getting done and were 

 losing their coats : they had, of course, done a great deal of 

 sledging already this year. Dimitri had long experience of 

 dog-driving and I had none. I thought and I still think 

 he was right. I increased the dog ration therefore, and this 

 left us with thirteen more days' dog-food, including that 

 for March 4. 



The weather was bad when we were at One Ton, for 

 when it was blowing the temperature often remained com- 

 paratively low, and when it was not blowing it dropped 

 considerably, and I find readings in my diary of - 34 

 and - 37 at 8 p.m. Having no minimum thermometer 

 we did not know the night temperatures. On the other 

 hand I find an entry : "To-day is the first real good one 

 we have had, only about - io° and the sun shining, — and 

 we have shifted the tent, dried our bags and gear a lot, and 

 been pottering about all day." At this time, however, when 

 we were at One Ton I looked upon these conditions as 

 being a temporary cold snap : there was no reason then to 

 suppose these were normal March conditions in the middle 

 of the Barrier, where no one had ever been at this time of 

 year. I believe now they are normal : on the other hand, 



