CHAPTER X. 
TOWARDS CIVILISATION. 
Ow February roth, after having taken careful 
observation, the voyage towards civilisation com- 
тепсей. My decision to return then I took because 
of the uncertainty of the weather in the late season, 
and the rapid fall of the temperature. Indeed, it 
was high time that we should sail for the north if we 
wanted to leave at all, and as it was, our engines 
had to force the Southern Cross through ice three 
inches thick as we steamed slowly out towards the 
head of this harbour. 
My first intention was to make for Mount 
Terror, and if possible to get in the vicinity of 
Beaufort Island, but prevailing south-westerly and 
westerly gales prevented us from following this plan, 
and I decided to steer for Franklin Island, where we 
hoped to be able to obtain opportunities for a second 
set of magnetic observations. Ice was covering the 
deck and rigging, while a biting autumn gale was 
howling between the ropes. On the 22nd the gale 
calmed down somewhat, but on the next day 
it was again on to us with very heavy sea. On 
the 24th the weather allowed us to steam up to 
Franklin Island, and at то o'clock in the morning 
