THE HEART OF THE ANTARCTIC 



sure the feeling the was uppermost in all of us was one 

 of devout and heartfelt thankfulness to the kind Provi- 

 dence which had so far guided our footsteps in safety 

 to that goal. With a fervent " Thank God " we all did 

 a right-about turn, and as quick a march as tired 

 limbs would allow back in the direction of our little green 

 tent in the wilderness of snow. 



It was a weary tramp back over the hard and high 

 sastrugi and we were very thankful when at last we saw 

 a small dark cone, which we knew was our tent, rising 

 from above the distant snow ridges. On reaching the 

 tent we each had a little cocoa, a biscuit and a small 

 lump of chocolate. We then sledged slowly and wearily 

 back, picking up first the legs of the theodolite, then those 

 of the dip circle, and finally reached our depot a little 

 before 10 p.m. 



In honour of the event we treated ourselves that 

 night to a hoosh, which though modest was larger 

 in volume than usual, and was iromensely enjoyed. 

 Mawson repacked the sledge after hoosh time, and 

 we turned into the sleeping-bag faint and weary, but 

 happy with the great load of apprehension of possible 

 failure, that had been hanging over us for so many 

 weeks, at last removed from our minds. We all slept 

 soundly after twenty-four miles of travel. 



