Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/464

On the 20th in the morning, after 3 miles, we reached the depôt on the northern end of Butter Point. This depôt had been left there earlier in the season by the ship. We camped and had some tea. Having struck camp, while we were harnessing up Williamson exclaimed, 'Lord, look at that!' The sea ice at the foot of the Point was gradually breaking up and sailing out to sea. This meant that it was impossible for a party to travel up the coast to the relief of Campbell, and we necessarily had to turn back from this point. It also meant that it was impossible for Campbell and his party to make their way down the coast and that in all probability he and his party would have to winter at Evans Coves. The question of their travelling on such sea ice was infinitely more disturbing than the question of their wintering there.

As one instance of the loyal way in which I was supported during the whole of this season, I can quote the following: 'Wright, from the very first, had been entirely against this journey. He had some knowledge of a previous sledge trip on the western coast. Not until after I had told him that we should have to turn back, did he tell me how thankful he was at the decision. He had come on this trip fully believing that there was every probability of the party being lost, but had never demurred and never offered a contrary opinion, and one cannot be thankful enough to such men.'

We depôted two weeks' provisions at Butter Point and started to make our way back to Hut Point, our only anxiety being lest the new sea ice had blown out in the blizzard which had delayed us at Butter Point. That