$2 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[December 
on us, and we didn't move a yard. The wind steadily 
increased and has been blowing a moderate gale, shifting 
in direction to E.S.E. We are reduced to lower topsails. 
In the morning watch we began to move again, the 
ice opening out with the usual astonishing absence of 
reason. We have made a mile or two in a westerly 
direction in the same manner as yesterday. The floes 
seem a little smaller, but our outlook is very limited ; 
there is a thick haze, and the only fact that can be known 
is that there are pools of water at intervals for a mile or 
two in the direction in which we go. 
We commence to move between two floes, make 
200 or 300 yards, and are then brought up bows on to a 
large lump. This may mean a wait of anything from ten 
minutes to half an hour, whilst the ship swings round, 
falls away, and drifts to leeward. When clear she forges 
ahead again and the operation is repeated. Occasionally 
when she can get a little way on she cracks the obstacle 
and slowly passes through it. There is a distinct swell 
— very long, very low. I counted the period as about 
nine seconds. Everyone says the ice is breaking up. 
I have not seen any distinct evidence myself, but Wilson 
saw a large floe which had recently cracked into four 
pieces in such a position that the ship could not have 
caused it. The breaking up of the big floes is certainly 
a hopeful sign. 
'I have written quite a lot about the pack ice when 
under ordinary conditions I should have passed it with 
few words. But you will scarcely be surprised when I tell 
you what an obstacle we have found it on this occasion.' 
