I9I2] PLANS FOR THE SEARCH 329 
seemed very appreciable. The mules were now exercised 
regularly on the ice in the South Bay, and by this means 
their leaders were able to take them over greater distances. 
Their condition began gradually to improve, and the way 
they had come through the winter so far reflected great 
credit on the care taken by Lashly. 
On the 19th the plans for the Southern journey were 
laid before the other members. Debenham, who had 
been suffering from an old knee injury at football, and 
Archer were the two niembers who would have to remain 
by the hut. 
It was a sad blow to both of them to realise their 
position, but they accepted it cheerfully. The plan was 
to provide enough provisions to enable two parties, each 
a unit of four, to ascend the Beardmore Glacier, and two 
dog teams with a unit of three men to return from some 
point not as yet settled. Of the men ascending the 
glacier, four were to remain at the Cloudmaker and 
collect geological specimens, photograph, and do survey 
work. They would then proceed to the foot of the glacier 
and continue doing this same work until the return of 
the others, for all this time they were needed as a support 
by the advance party. This advance party, the other 
unit of four, would ascend to the top of the glacier if it 
were necessary to go so far. On their return to the foot 
of the glacier both units would march home. At this 
time it was believed by most of us that an accident had 
occurred to the Southern Party, probably at the lower 
reaches of the Beardmore, in bad weather, and that sickness 
had nothing to do with the disaster. 
