i9«] LOST ON THE FLOE 341 
through the drifting clouds. With such a guide we moment- 
arily looked for the return of our wanderer, and with 
his continued absence our anxiety grew. At 9.30 Evans, 
P.O., and his party returned without news of him, and 
at last there was no denying the possibility of a serious 
accident. Between 9.30 and 10 proper search parties were 
organised, and I give the details to show the thoroughness 
which I thought necessary to meet the gravity of the 
situation. I had by this time learnt that Atkinson had 
left with comparatively light clothing and, still worse, with 
leather ski boots on his feet ; fortunately he had wind 
clothing. 
P.O. Evans was away first with Crean, Keohanc, and 
Demetri, a light sledge, a sleeping-bag, and a flask of brandy. 
His orders were to search the edge of the land and glaciei 
through the sweep of the Bay to the Barne Glacier and 
to Cape Barne beyond, then to turn east along an open 
crack and follow it to Inaccessible Island. Evans (Lieut.), 
with Nelson, Forde, and Hooper, left shortly after, similarly 
equipped, to follow the shore of the South Bay in similar 
fashion, then turn out to the Razor Back and search 
there. Next Wright, Gran, and Lashly set out for the 
bergs to look thoroughly about them and from thence 
pass round and examine Inaccessible Island. After these 
parties got away, Meares and Debenham started with a 
lantern to search to and fro over the surface of our pro- 
montory. Simpson and Oates went out in a direct line over 
the northern floe to the ' Archibald * thermometer, whilst 
Ponting and Taylor re-examined the tide crack towards 
the Barne Glacier. Meanwhile Day went to and fro Wind 
