ICE BEGINS TO GO 
137 
The ship lies peacefully in the bay ; a brisk northerly 
breeze in the forenoon died to light airs in the evening — 
it is warm enough, the temperature in the hut was 63 0 this 
evening. We have had a long busy day at clothing — 
everyone sewing away diligently. The Eastern Party 
ponies were put on board the ship this morning. 
Monday, January 23. — Placid conditions last for a very 
short time in these regions. I got up at 5 this morning 
to find the weather calm and beautiful, but to my astonish- 
ment an opening lane of water between the land and the 
ice in the bay. The latter was going out in a solid 
mass. 
The ship discovered it easily, got up her ice anchors, 
sent a boat ashore, and put out to sea to dredge. We went 
on with our preparations, but soon Mearcs brought word 
that the ice in the south bay was going in an equally 
rapid fashion. This proved an exaggeration, but an 
immense piece of floe had separated from the land. Mcares 
and I walked till we came to the first ice. Luckily we 
found that it extends for some 2 miles along the rock of 
our Cape, and we discovered a possible way to lead ponies 
down to it. It was plain that only the ponies could go 
by it — no loads. 
Since that everything lias been rushed — and a wonderful 
day's work has resulted ; we have got all the forage and 
food sledges and equipment off to the ship — the dogs will 
follow in an hour, I hope, with pony harness, &c, that is 
everything to do with our depot party, except the 
ponies. 
As at present arranged they are to cross the Cape 
