402 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
the temperature fell to —8° F., and the surface of the sea 
was swathed in a freezing mist. Up aloft in the crow’s 
nest the sun was shining gloriously, and later, when the 
mist lifted for a moment, there was an impressive glimpse 
from the deck of the great mass of Mount Erebus, a flag 
of smoke trailing from the summit. The glimpse was 
momentary and no photograph could be taken. On 
February Iith the ship had out-distanced the Erebus and 
Terror toward the Pole, and the party were farther south 
than any man had been before, in latitude 78° 21' S. 
There was much jubilation on board in consequence. The 
weather was no party to the joy, and again the little ship 
had a tempestuous time, tossing about amongst the ice- 
bergs off the barrier. As she proceeded the skies smiled 
once more, and the nature of the great barrier began to 
change. It grew lower, the edge became indented by 
irregular inlets and in longitude 164° W. the wall dipped 
until it was only a quay of ice inviting the traveller to 
step ashore. The invitation was accepted, and the South- 
ern Cross moored alongside as if she had been in dock. 
Here she lay for a whole day waiting for clear weather. 
February 19th was one of the finest days of the Antarctic 
year. The ice stretched beyond the reach of the eye in a 
smooth, uniform, snow-covered sweep over which ski- 
travelling was a joy to men so long cramped up on ship- 
board. So firm and smooth was it that Mr. Bernacchi 
declared that it would serve as a road for a motor car. 
Mr. Borchgrevink and Lieutenant Colbeck made a short 
sledge trip southward over the ice, attaining 78° 50' S., 
and thus establishing a “ record ” for southward travel. 
No particulars of this trip have been published. 
At 1 p. m. on February 19th the Southern Cross cast 
off from the barrier and not • an hour too soon ; the 
