Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/472

On May 3rd to the 5th we had an exceptionally strong blizzard wind. In the evening the gusts recorded by the anemometer were between 70 and 88 miles an hour, a strength considerably over that of any previous observation. The ice was again blown from the North Bay. During the whole of the night the force of the gale increased, and toward morning it began to take off. When Gran checked the instrument at 8.30 a.m. it registered for 3 minutes the rate of 104 miles an hour, and by this time its force had abated considerably. It was exceedingly difficult at this time of the year to obtain any seals owing to the lack of ice in the South and North Bays.

Simpson had some hyacinth bulbs sent down to him, and under Hooper's care these, embedded in a basin full of white sawdust, burst into bloom and lasted for some considerable time.

It was strange at this time of the year to see the open water right up to the hut. The sky effects were beautiful towards the north at midday, and on a calm day their reflection from the open water was splendid.

Demetri and Keohane busied themselves in building a dog hospital. This was essential, as several of the dogs