THE ROSS SEA PARTY 
this course they picked up sledge-tracks, and, following these, 
they found a route down to the sea-ice. Mackintosh decided 
to depot the sledge on top of a well-marked imdulation and 
proceed without gear. A short time later the three men, after 
a scramble over the cliffs of Hut Point, reached the door of the 
hut. " We shouted. No sound. Shouted again, and presently 
a dark object appeared. This turned out to be Cope, who was 
by himself. The other members of the party had gone out 
to fetch the gear off their sledge, which they also had left. 
Cope had been laid up, so did not go with them. We soon were 
telling each other's adventures, and we heard then how the ship 
had called here on March 11 and picked up Spencer-Smith, 
Richards, Ninnis, Hooke, and Gaze, the present members here 
being Cope, Hay ward, and Jack. A meal was soon prepared. 
We found here even a blubber-fire, luxurious, but what a state 
of dirt and grease ! However, warmth and food are at present 
our principal objects. While we were having our meal Jack 
and Hayward appeared. . . . Late in the evening we turned 
into dry bags. As there are only three bags here, we take it in 
turns to use them. Our party have the privilege. ... I got 
a letter here from Stenhouse giving a summary of his doings 
since we left him. The ship's party also have not had a rosy 
time." 
Mackintosh learned here that Spencer-Smith, Jack, and 
Gaze, who had turned back on February 10, had reached Hut 
Point without difficulty. The third party, headed by Cope, 
had also been out on the Barrier but had not done much. This 
party had attempted to use the motor-tractor, but had failed 
to get effective service from the machine and had not proceeded 
far afield. The motor was now lying at Hut Point. Spencer- 
Smith's party and Cope's party had both returned to Hut 
Point before the end of February. 
The six men now at Hut Point were cut off from the winter 
quarters of the Expedition at Cape Evans by the open water 
of McMurdo Sound. Mackintosh naturally was anxious to 
make the crossing and get in touch with the ship and the other 
members of the shore party ; but he could not make a move 
until the sea-ice became firm, and, as events occurred, he did 
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