THE HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC 



necessary for me to describe or instruct you as to details 

 re this work, as you know so much better than I do what 

 is requisite. 



''(3) I particularly wish you to be able to work at 

 the geology of the Western Mountains, and for Mawson 

 to spend at least one fortnight at Dry Valley to prospect 

 for minerals of economic value on your return from the 

 north, and for this work to be carried out satisfactorily 

 you should return to Dry Valley not later than the first 

 week of J anuary. I do not wish to limit you to an exact 

 date for return to Dry Valley if you think that by 

 lengthening your stay up north you can reach the 

 Magnetic Pole, but you must not delay, if time is short, 

 on your way south again to do geological work. I 

 consider that the thorough investigation of Dry Valley is 

 of supreme importance. 



"(4) The Nimrod is expected in the Sound about 

 January 15, 1909. It is quite possible you may see her 

 from the west. If so, you should try to attract at- 

 tention by heliograph to winter quarters. You should 

 choose the hours noon to 1 p.m. to flash your signal, and 

 if seen at winter quarters the return signal will be flashed 

 to you, and the Nimrod will steam across as far as possible 

 to meet you and wait at the ice-edge. If the ship is 

 not in, and if she is and your signals are not seen, you 

 will take into account your supply of provisions and 

 proceed either to Glacier Tongue or Hut Point to re- 

 plenish if there is not a suflicient amount of provision at 

 Butter Point for you. 



"(5) Re Butter Point. I will have a depot of at 

 least fourteen days' food and oil cached there for you. 

 If there is not enough in that supply you ought to return 

 as mentioned in paragraph (4) . 



"(6) I shall leave instructions for the master of the 

 Nimrod to proceed to the most accessible point at the 



74 



