244 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [April 
some others on the floe, then lowered the sledges packed ; 
three men, including Crean and myself, slid down last on 
the Alpine rope — doubled and taken round an ash stave, 
so that we were able to unreeve the end and recover the 
rope — we recovered also most of the old Alpine rope, all 
except a piece buried in snow on the sea ice and 
dragged down under the slush, just like the Discovery 
boats ; I could not have supposed this could happen in 
so short a time. 17 
By the time all stores were on the floe, with swirling 
drift about us, everyone was really badly cold — one of 
those moments for quick action. We harnessed and dashed 
for the shelter of the cliffs ; up tents, and hot tea as quick 
as possible ; after this and some shift of foot gear all 
were much better. Heavy plod over the sea ice, starting 
at — V ery bad light on the glacier, and we lost our 
way as usual, stumbling into many crevasses, but finally 
descended in the old place ; by this time sweating much. 
Crean reported our sledge pulling much more heavily 
than the other one. Marched on to Little Razor Back 
Island without halt, our own sledge dragging fearfully. 
Crean said there was great difference in the sledges, though 
loads were equal. Bowers politely assented when I voiced 
this sentiment, but I'm sure he and his party thought 
it the plea of tired men. However, there was nothing like 
proof, and he readily assented to change sledges. The 
difference was really extraordinary; we felt the new 
sledge a featherweight compared with the old, and set up 
a great pace for the home quarters regardless of how much 
we perspired. We arrived at the hut (two miles away) 
