464 Arctic and Antarctic Exploration [part 11 
at the end of each fatiguing day, sitting at the door of 
the tent, sketching the splendid mountainous coast to the 
west. Scott wrote: — 
The beauty of the scene before us is much enhanced when the sun 
circles low to the south, we then get the most delicate blue shadows, 
and purest tones of pink and violet on the hill slopes. There is rarely 
any intensity of shade — the charm lies in the subtlety and delicacy of 
the colouring and in the clear softness of the distant outline. 
Their furthest point was reached in 82 0 17' S. December 
30, 1902. The views of the land were here extremely 
interesting. The cliffs rose to a height of 1800 feet, ending 
in the snow expanse which rose into ridges and peaks. In 
colour the cliffs were a rich deep red, further on nearly 
black. The most distant peak to the south, far beyond 
the 83rd parallel, was christened Mount Longstaff. To 
the S.W. " there was a splendid twin-peaked mountain 
which, even in such a lofty country, seemed as a giant 
among pigmies/' Captain Scott named it Mount Markham. 
One more unsuccessful attempt was made to reach the 
land, but it was impossible owing to an intervening 
chasm. 
On the return journey the few surviving dogs were 
useless, and the men had to drag the sledge, deriving 
occasional help from the sail. On the 14th January, 
Shackleton broke down altogether. The only hope was to 
keep him on his legs, doing nothing, for the other two 
could not possibly have dragged him all the way on the 
sledge. On the 15th the two last of the dog team died, 
but on the 28th the depot was reached and they again had 
plenty of food. Shackleton struggled along on ski, in a 
deplorable state, Scott and Wilson dragging the sledge, 
and on the 30th they put Shackleton on it and dragged 
him also. Next day he managed to walk again; his two 
gallant companions being nearly worn out. The ship was 
finally reached on February 3rd, 1903. In 94 days they 
had gone over 800 miles, or counting relays 960 miles. 
The return with their disabled comrade was nothing less 
than heroic. 
The western party started on December 2nd, Armitage 
and Skelton with ten men forming the extended party; 
Koettlitz, Ferrar, and Dellbridge (Assistant Engineer) with 
six others the limited party. Armitage's plan was to 
