488 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[December 
water drips from the tent poles and door, lies on the floor- 
cloth, soaks the sleeping-bags, and makes everything 
pretty wretched. If a cold snap follows before we have 
had time to dry our things, we shall be mighty uncom- 
fortable. Yet after all it would be humorous enough if 
it were not for the seriousness of delay — we can't afford 
that, and it's real hard luck that it should come at such a 
time. The wind shows signs of easing down, but the 
temperature does not fall and the snow is as wet as ever — 
not promising signs of abatement. 
Keohanfs rhyme! 
The snow is all melting and everything's afloat, 
If this goes on much longer we shall have to turn the tent 
upside down and use it as a boat. 
Wednesday, December 6. — Camp 30. Noon. Miserable, 
utterly miserable. We have camped in the ' Slough of 
Despond.' The tempest rages with unabated violence. 
The temperature has gone to +33°; everything in the 
tent is soaking. People returning from the outside look 
exactly as though they had been in a heavy shower of rain. 
They drip pools on the floorcloth. The snow is steadily 
climbing higher about walls, ponies, tents, and sledges. 
The ponies look utterly desolate. Oh ! but this is too 
crushing, and we are only 12 miles from the Glacier. A 
hopeless feeling descends on one and is hard to fight off. 
What immense patience is needed for such occasions ! 
1 1 p.m. — At 5 there came signs of a break at last, and 
now one can see the land, but the sky is still overcast and 
