SOUTH 
itself into the full moon, wliich rose ahead of us and made a 
silver pathway for our feet. Along that pathway in the wake 
of the moon we advanced in safety, with the shadows cast by 
the edges of crevasses showing black on either side of us. 
Onwards and upwards through soft snow we marched, resting 
now and then on hard patches which had revealed themselves 
by glittering ahead of us in the white light. By midnight we 
were again at an elevation of about 4000 ft. Still we were 
following the light, for as the moon swung round towards the 
north-east our path curved in that direction. The friendly 
moon seemed to pilot oiu^ weary feet. We could have had 
no better guide. If in bright daylight we had made that march 
we would have followed the course that was traced for us 
that night. 
Midnight found us approaching the edge of a great snow- 
field, pierced by isolated nunataks which cast long shadows 
like black rivers across the white expanse. A gentle slope to 
the north-east lured our all-too-willing feet in that direction. 
We thought that at the base of the slope lay Stromness Bay. 
After we had descended about 300 ft. a thin wind began to 
attack us. We had now been on the march for over twenty 
hours, only halting for our occasional meals. Wisps of cloud 
drove over the high peaks to the southward, warning us that 
wind and snow were likely to come. After 1 a.m. we cut a pit 
in the snow, piled up loose snow around it, and started the 
Primus again. The hot food gave us another renewal of energy. 
Worsley and Crean sang their old songs when the Primus was 
going merrily. Laughter was in our hearts, though not on 
our parched and cracked lips. 
We were up and away again within half an hour, still down- 
ward to the coast. We felt almost sure now that we were 
above Stromness Bay. A dark object down at the foot of the 
slope looked like Mutton Island, which lies off Husvik. I 
suppose our desires were giving wings to our fancies, for we 
pointed out joyfully various landmarks revealed by the now 
vagrant light of the moon, whose friendly face was cloud-swept. 
Our high hopes were soon shattered. Crevasses warned us 
that we were on another glacier, and soon we looked down 
200 
