SOUTH 
got through the process. Then Richards spent an hour or so 
in rubbing Hayward with methylated spirits, which did him 
a world of good. If he were to break up now I should not 
know what to do. Turned in about 1.30. It is now calm, but 
overcast with light falling snow. 
" February 28, Monday. — ^Up at 6 o'clock ; can just see a 
little sky-hne. Under way at 9 o'clock. The reason of delay, 
had to mend finneskoe, which are in a very dilapidated condi- 
tion. 1 got my feet badly frost-bitten yesterday. About 11 
o'clock came on to snow, everything overcast. We ought to 
reach our poor boys in three or four hours, but Fate mils other- 
wise, as it came on again to bhzzard force about 11.45. Camped 
at noon. I think the party must be within a very short distance, 
but we camiot go on as we might pass them, and as we have 
not got any position to go on except compass. Later. — Kept 
on blizzarding all afternoon and night. 
" February 29, Tuesday, — Up at 5 o'clock ; still very thick. 
It cleared up a little to the south about 8 o'clock, when Richards 
sighted something black to the north of us, but could not see 
properly what it was. After looking round sighted camp to 
the south, so we got under way as soon as possible. Got up 
to the camp about 12.45, when Wild came out to meet us. We 
gave him a cheer, as we fully expected to find all down. He 
said he had taken a little exercise every day ; they had not 
any food left. The Skipper then came out of the tent, very 
weak and as much as he could do to walk. He said, ' I want 
to thank you for saving our lives.' I told Wild to go and give 
them a feed and not to eat too much at first in case of reaction, 
as I am going to get under way as soon as they have had a 
feed. So we had lunch, and the Skipper went ahead to get 
some exercise, and after an hour's digging out got everything 
ready for leaving. When we lifted Smith we found he was in 
a great hole which he had melted through. This party had 
been in one camp for twelve days. We got under way and 
picked the Skipper up ; he had fallen down, too weak to walk. 
We put him on the sledge we had brought out, and we camped 
about 8 o'clock. I think we did about three miles — rather good 
with two men on the sledges and Hayward in a very bad way. 
290 
