A DISASTER AVERTED 



in danger. They could not get out of the bc.y owing 

 to the force of the sea, and the projecting shelf of ice 

 threatened disaster if they approached the shore. The 

 flying spray had encased the men in ice, and their hands 

 were numb and half -frozen. At the end of an hour 

 they managed to make fast to a line stretched from 

 an anchor a few yards from the cliff, the men who had 

 remained on shore pulling this line taut. The position 

 was still dangerous, but all the men and dogs were 

 hauled up the slippery ice-face into safety before the 

 boat sank. Hot drinks were soon ready in the hut, 

 and the men dried their clothes as best they could 

 before the fire. Nearly all the bedding had been sent 

 on board, and the temperature was low, but they were 

 thankful to have escaped with their lives. 



The weather was bitter on the following morning 

 (March 3), and the Nimrod, which had been sheltering 

 under Glacier Tongue, came back to Cape Royds. A 

 heavy sea was still running, but a new landing-place 

 was selected in the shelter of the cape, and all the men 

 and dogs were got aboard. The ship went back to 

 the Glacier Tongue anchorage to wait for the relief 

 party. 



About ten o'clock that night Mackintosh was walking 

 the deck engaged in conversation with some other 

 members of the expedition. Suddenly he became 

 excited and said, " I feel that Shackleton has arrived 

 at Hut Point." He was very anxious that the ship 

 should go up to the Point, but nobody gave much 

 attention to him. Then Dunlop advised him to go 

 up to the crow's-nest if he was sure about it, and look 

 for a signal. Mackintosh went aloft, and immediately 

 saw our flare at Hut Point. The ship at once left for Hut 

 Point, reaching it at midnight, and by 2 a.m. on March 4 

 the entire expedition was safe on board. 



voi.n.-i5 225 



