Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/447

up in the south bay, I judged it advisable to make a start with the two dog teams for Hut Point, 15 miles to the south of Cape Evans, a journey across sea ice. It was from this point that the Barrier could be reached and the return of the Southern Party hastened by the dog teams. The two dog teams, Demetri the Russian boy, and myself were kept at Hut Point by bad weather until February 19. On the night of the 19th the weather began to abate. At 3.30 a.m., while we were in our sleeping-bags, Petty Officer Crean reached the hut and brought in the news of Lieutenant Evans' breakdown beyond Corner Camp. Crean had done a remarkable walk of over 35 statute miles to get what relief he could, leaving Lashly to look after Evans, who was in a very serious state and with only a small supply of food left. Within half an hour of his arrival a very thick blizzard came on and it was impossible to make a start. The blizzard kept on the whole day, and it was not until 4.30 on the afternoon of the 20th that a start was possible. Demetri and I then made a start with both dog teams. The weather was exceedingly thick and we could only see a very short distance. We travelled, with one rest for the dogs, until 4.30 p.m. the next day. Then the weather being too thick to travel we camped, judging that we were somewhere near the camp with Lieutenant Evans and Lashly. During a temporary clearness we saw the flag which Lashly had put up on the sledge about 2 miles away. We found Lashly and Evans within the tent. During the whole of that night and the next day the blizzard continued and it was impossible to travel. The