I9XI] THE ICE BREAKS 193 
forage depot * on ski. As we approached, the sky looked 
black and lowering, and mirage effects of huge broken floes 
loomed out ahead. At first I thought it one of the strange 
optical illusions common in this region — but as we neared 
the depot all doubt was dispelled. The sea was full of 
broken pieces of Barrier edge. My thoughts flew to the 
ponies and dogs, and fearful anxieties assailed my mind. 
We turned to follow the sea edge and suddenly discovered 
a working crack. We dashed over this and slackened 
pace again after a quarter of a mile. Then again cracks 
appeared ahead and we increased pace as much as possible, 
not slackening again till we were in line between the Safety 
Camp and Castle Rock, Meanwhile my first thought was 
to warn E. Evans. We set up tent, and Gran went to the 
depot with a note as Oates and I disconsolately thought 
out the situation. I thought to myself that if either party 
had reached safety either on the Barrier or at Hut Point 
they would immediately have sent a warning messenger 
to Safety Camp. By this time the messenger should 
have been with us. Some half-hour passed, and suddenly 
with a * Thank God!' I made certain that two specks 
in the direction of Pram Point were human beings. I 
hastened towards them and found they were Wilson and 
Mearcs, who had led the homeward way with the dog 
teams. They were astonished to see mc — they said they 
feared the ponies were adrift on the sea ice — they had 
seen them with glasses from Observation Hill. They 
thought I was with them. They had hastened out 
* This was at a point on the Barrier, J mile from the edge, in a 
S.S.E. direction from Hut Point. 
vol. 1, o 
