128 British Antarctic Expedition. 
have discovered the masts of the Southern Cross 
in the mirage, so strongly did their hopes confirm 
the impression made by the wonderful creations in 
the air. 
The temperature was —25° Fahr. on the 16th 
May. 
On the 17th May we all celebrated the National- 
Day of Norway with a flag procession, and ski- 
jumping competition. 
On the 18th a tremendous wale trom ihe E. 
was blowing. . Sledges, boxes, stones. ete, weve 
flying about in the air. Heavy showers of pebbles 
descended upon our camp during the night. Our 
huts were now only approachable through a tunnel 
in the snow, and we had great trouble in keeping 
this only place of entrance open, as one might er 
snow-drift would fill it completely. Great screwing 
was going on in the bay. The one whose duty 
it was to read the meteorological observations ap- 
proached the thermometer box with a rope round 
his waist, although the place was only 200 yards 
away. To give an instance of the strength of the 
wind, it may be mentioned that on the night of the 
18th May the anemometer broke on s shai 
literally blown off. The lowest barometric reading 
during this gale was 28.4.4. The days began to 
get very short and dark. It was a depressing 
feeling, like looking at oneself getting old. ^ Chess, 
cards, and draughts were the most popular changes 
from work. 
We were getting sick of one another's company ; 
we knew each line in each other's faces. Each one 
knew what the other one had to say. Our whole 
