Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/259

October 10.—Turned out at 5 a.m. to find a lovely day with bright sun but a cold wind. At 7.30 just after starting a low drift got up and the wind was freshening but bitterly cold—so cold in fact that at lunch-time we only stopped long enough to eat some frozen meat and blubber, and then were off again over these endless undulations that give one the impression of always going up hill. At last on one of the undulations we saw sea ice to the southward, and a few minutes afterwards Dickason pointed to a white mass, looking like a cloud, which I made out to be Mount Erebus. While crossing another long undulation about three-quarters of a mile across, we came to a cliff barring our passage, but by bearing to the east, we found a place where we could cross the big crevasse that lay in front of it by a snow drift. The crevasse was about 10 yards wide, but well bridged. Once on top we saw the sea ice below us and about a mile and a half ahead. The drift, which had been blinding in the squalls, now cleared and we had a good view.

The sea ice seemed fast as far as we could see in all directions, and this was a great relief to us. The Drygalski had not been so formidable as I expected, in spite of the broken ice; we only broke through into a few crevasses, although I have no doubt there are plenty there.

They are well bridged after the winter. We had no trouble in getting down to the sea ice, as hard snow drifts completely hid the south cliff. At 6 p.m. we camped, all tired but very pleased at having the Drygalski behind us and good sea ice in front. We had an extra biscuit and a stick of chocolate to celebrate the occasion. The night