LAYING THE DEPOTS 
it looked clear right to Cape Arniitage, which is four and a 
half miles away. Arrived there 8 o'clock, very dark and bad 
light. Found open water. Turned to climb slopes against a 
strong north-easterly breeze with drift. Found a place about 
a mile away, but we were so done up that it took until 11.30 
to get gear up. This slope was about 150 yds. up, and every 
three paces we had to stop and get breath. Eventually camped 
and turned in about 2 o'clock. I think this is the worst day 
I ever spent. What Avith the disappointment of not getting 
round the Point, and the long day and the thought of getting 
Hay ward over the slopes, it is not very entertaining for sleep. 
''March 11, Saturday.— Up at 7 o'clock; took binoculars 
and went over the slope to look around the Cape. To my 
surprise found the open water and pack at the Cape only 
extended for about a mile. Came down and gave the boys the 
good news. I think it would take another two hard days to 
get over the liills, and we are too weak to do much of that, as 
I am afraid of another collapsing. Richards and Wild climbed 
up to look at the back of the bay and found the ice secure. 
Got under way 10.30, went round the Cape and found ice ; 
very slushy, but continued on. No turning now ; got into 
hard ice shortly after, eventually arriving at Hut Point about 
3 o'clock. It seems strange after our adventures to arrive 
back at the old hut. This place has been standing since we 
built it in 1901, and has been the starting-point of a few expedi- 
tions since. When Ave were coming down the bay I could fancy 
the Discovery there when Scott arrived from his Farthest South 
in 1902, the ship decorated rainbow fashion, and Lieutenant 
Armitage giving out the news that Captain Scott had got to 
82^ 17' S. We went wild that day. But now our home- 
coming is quite different. Hut half-full of snow through a 
window being left open and drift getting in ; but we soon got 
it shipshape and Hayward in. I had the fire going and plenty 
of vegetables on, as there was a fair supply of dried vegetables. 
Then after we had had a feed, Richards and Wild went down 
the bay and killed a couple of seals. I gave a good menu of 
seal meat at night, and we turned in about 11 o'clock, full- 
too full in fact. As there is no news here of the ship, and we 
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