I9I2] A DIFFICULT RETURN 315 
night we camped near the northern end of the Eskers and 
awaited the morning with some anxiety. To our joy we 
found that the 4 miles of new sea ice was still in in part. 
Again with a favouring wind we set sail and ran before it 
for 2 miles. The wind again fell light, and to our con- 
sternation we saw the Emperor penguins walking solemnly 
toward the edge of the old sea ice, which probably meant 
that there was open water between us and it. But 
eventually we reached safety and camped for a meal, then 
in a bad light completed 6 more miles. 
Next morning, the 22nd, a blizzard caused a late start. 
We made for the end of the pinnacled ice, hoping to find 
our ice still in. As we approached, dense volumes of frost 
smoke were seen arising from where it had been. This 
was serious, as it probably meant we should have to make 
our way through the pinnacled ice, an undertaking 
which meant several more days in the bad light and bad 
going. Luckily for the party, there was a narrow ledge or 
ice-foot projecting from the edge of the pinnacled ice. 
Alternately along this and along the edge of the pinnacled 
ice we made our Avay, stumbling and falling in the holes 
and capsizing the sledge. After 7 miles we made our way 
through, and although we could not then see our where- 
abouts, we knew the remainder of the journey would be 
pretty plain sailing. 
On April 23 there was a blizzard in the morning, a 
very strong wind and low temperature. There were no 
land marks to steer by, and using the sastrugi for this 
purpose we only completed 3I miles by i o'clock and then 
camped for a meal. Soon after, the weather cleared 
