Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/562

knowing when the next opportunity may occur to obtain fresh water.

During the 30th the floes were visibly breaking up, and in the morning watch of the 31st steam was again put on the engines and the ship able to make slow but steady progress.

In the early hours of the New Year the pack was left, Jan. 1, 1912, 68° 44′ S., 178° 55′ E. and no more pack was met till the ship got to within five or six miles of Cape Adare at 9 a.m. on the 3rd.

Here very heavy pack was found and Robertson Bay was full of it, but by waiting for the chance she managed Jan. 3 and 4, 1912. Off Robertson Bay. to get within a mile of the moraine on which the hut is built by 11.30; all inside this was heavy pack swiftly moving with the tidal stream. Nothing could be done, and with the satisfaction of seeing people moving about near the hut, we had to haul off to the centre of the entrance, where there was now a space of clear water. While waiting, Lillie got a satisfactory trawl in fifty fathoms—the first of the season.

At 4 p.m. the water on the north side of the moraine cleared sufficiently to allow of an attempt at landing, and after an hour's pushing through the pack she anchored close in, in seven fathoms.

Rennick and Bruce immediately went on shore with the cutter and whaler, and in spite of a nasty swell which was breaking on the beach were able to embark some of the stores.