THE HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC 



are suitable. It is a comfort to be able to pick and 

 choose. I cannot understand a letter I received from 

 Murray about Mackintosh getting adrift on the ice, 

 but no doubt this will be cleared up on our return. Any- 

 how every one seems to be all right. There was no news 

 of the northern party or of the western party. We turned 

 in full of food to-night. 



February 25. — We turned out at 4 a.m. for an early 

 start, as we are in danger of being left if we do not 

 push ahead rapidly and reach the ship. On going into 

 the tent for breakfast I found Marshall suffering from 

 paralysis of the stomach and renewed dysentery, and 

 while we were eating a blizzard came up. We secured 

 everything as the Bluff showed masses of ragged cloud, 

 and I was of opinion that it was going to blow hard. 

 I did not think Marshall fit to travel through the blizzard. 

 During the afternoon, as we were lying in the bags, the 

 weather cleared somewhat, though it still blew hard. If 

 Marshall is not better to-night, I must leave him with 

 Adams and push on, for time is going on, and the ship 

 may leave on March 1, according to orders, if the Sound 

 is not clear of ice. I went over through the blizzard to 

 Marshall's tent. He is in a bad way still, but thinks that 

 he could travel to-morrow. 



February 27 (1 a.m.). — The blizzard was over at 

 midnight, and we got up at 1 a.m., had breakfast at 2, 

 and made a start at 4. At 9.30 a.m. we had lunch, at 

 3 p.m. tea, at 7 p.m. hoosh, and then marched till 11 p.m. 

 Had another hoosh, and turned in at 1 a.m. We 

 did 24 miles. Marshall suff ered greatly but stuck to the 

 march. He never complains. 



March 5.— Although we did not turn in until 1 a.m. 

 on the 27th, we were up again at 4 a.m. and after a good 

 hoosh, we got under way at 6 a.m. and marched 

 until 1 p.m. Marshall was unable to haul, his 



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