LAYING THE DEPOTS 
sleeping-bags about 10 o'clock. Distance about eight or nine 
miles. 
March 5, Sunday, — Turned out 6.15. Overslept a little ; 
very tired after yesterday. Sun shining brightly and no wind. 
It seemed strange last night, no flapping of tent in one's ears. 
About 8.30 came on to drift again. Under way 9.20, both sails 
set. Sledge going hard, especially in soft places. If Hayward 
had not broken down we should not feel the weight so much. 
Lunch 12.45. Under way at 3. Wind and drift very heavy. 
A good job it is blowing some, or else we should have to relay. 
All land obscured. Distance about ten or eleven miles, a very 
good performance. Camped 7.10 in the dark. Patients not in 
the best of trim. I hope to get in, bar accidents, in four days. 
March 6, MoncZa?/.— Under way 9.20. Picked up thirty- 
two-mile depot 11 o'clock. Going with a fair wind in the fore- 
noon, which eased somewhat after lunch and so caused very 
heavy work in pulling. It seems to me we shall have to depot 
some one if the wind eases at all. Distance during day about 
eight miles. 
" March 7, Tuesday, — Under way 9 o'clock. Although we 
turn out at 5 it seems a long time to get under way. There is 
double as much work to do now with om- invalids. This is the 
calmest day we have had for weeks. The sun is shining and 
all land in sight. It is very hard going. Had a little breeze 
about 11 o'clock, set sail, but work still very, very heavy. 
Hayward and Skipper going on ahead with sticks, very slow 
pace, but it will buck them up and do them good. If one could 
only get some fresh food ! About 11 o'clock decided to camp 
and overhaul sledges and depot all gear except what is actually 
required. Under way again at 2, but surface being so sticky 
did not make any difference. After a consultation the Skipper 
decided to stay behind in a tent with three weeks' provisions, 
whilst we pushed on with Smith and Hayward. It seems hard, 
only about thirty miles away, and yet cannot get any assis- 
tance. Our gear is absolutely rotten, no sleep last night, shiver- 
ing all night in wet bags. I wonder what will be the outcome 
of it all after our struggle. Trust in Providence. Distance 
about three and a half miles. 
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