Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/465

night we camped near the northern end of the Eskers and awaited the morning with some anxiety. To our joy we found that the 4 miles of new sea ice was still in in part. Again with a favouring wind we set sail and ran before it for 2 miles. The wind again fell light, and to our consternation we saw the Emperor penguins walking solemnly toward the edge of the old sea ice, which probably meant that there was open water between us and it. But eventually we reached safety and camped for a meal, then in a bad light completed 6 more miles.

Next morning, the 22nd, a blizzard caused a late start. We made for the end of the pinnacled ice, hoping to find our ice still in. As we approached, dense volumes of frost smoke were seen arising from where it had been. This was serious, as it probably meant we should have to make our way through the pinnacled ice, an undertaking which meant several more days in the bad light and bad going. Luckily for the party, there was a narrow ledge or ice-foot projecting from the edge of the pinnacled ice. Alternately along this and along the edge of the pinnacled ice we made our way, stumbling and falling in the holes and capsizing the sledge. After 7 miles we made our way through, and although we could not then see our whereabouts, we knew the remainder of the journey would be pretty plain sailing.

On April 23 there was a blizzard in the morning, a very strong wind and low temperature. There were no land marks to steer by, and using the sastrugi for this purpose we only completed 3½ miles by 1 o'clock and then camped for a meal. Soon after, the weather cleared