Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/462

On April 13, about 10.30 in the morning, with Wright, Gran, Keohane, Williamson, and Demetri I started back to Hut Point. The surface of the sea ice had then completely changed and was covered with slush and ice-flowers; a trying blizzard started, and after a very hard pull we had to run for shelter to the little Razorback Island. We camped there and had tea. Soon after, the blizzard abated somewhat and we got under way. We made very slow progress, and after a very hard day's pull could only reach the Glacier Tongue, seven miles from home. The next morning we awoke, made our way over the Tongue, and reaching the cliffs had some difficulty in getting up. The sledge was held at arm's length by four men while one clambered up and by the help of his knife eventually gained a sure footing and was able to help the others. Except for the steepness of the climb, the remainder of the journey to Hut Point was easy. There we found Cherry-Garrard greatly relieved at our return, as the ice had been blowing out of the Sound, but had luckily remained in in the two bays. We reached Hut Point on the 14th.

The 15th and 16th were occupied in drying gear and making up provisions for four weeks. I decided to take C. S. Wright, who was a skilled navigator, Petty Officer Williamson, and Keohane. The season was well advanced and a great part of the travelling and camping had to be done in the dusk.

On April 17 we started across the sea ice, and after 5 miles we reached some old sea ice which had probably been there for two years or more. We then proceeded