Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/566

Sledging the stores on shore was commenced at once; but it was two and three-quarter miles to Cape Evans (i.e. five and a half miles on the round trip), so that the work was necessarily slow.

The unloading continued steadily till the 14th, with a break in the middle when a gale took another mile of ice out and so made work much quicker; but on the 14th the ice started breaking up and yet did not go out; nothing could be done, and as after a day no change took place the ship crossed over the Sound to Butter Point to see conditions in that direction. There were still nineteen tons of stores, including some coal, to be landed, but all the essentials were ashore.

At Butter Point a note from Taylor (in charge of the geological party) was found, saying that his party had Feb. 15, 1912. McMurdo Sound. camped there and gone on the previous day. Following the coast south, this party was observed on the Blue Glacier, and they were soon on board, all well. It was fortunate that Taylor had realised early the impossibility of the ship reaching Granite Harbour and so had beaten a retreat south over the piedmont. His specimens he had been compelled to leave in a depôt at Granite Harbour.

Shortly after they were picked up it came on to snow and blow. Owing to the weather it was impossible Feb. 19, 1912, 75° 27′ S., 166° 49′ E. to land this party at Cape Evans, so the ship turned north to pick up Campbell's team. Course was shaped direct for the extreme of the Drygalski Barrier, and the ship ran, with considerable pack to the east of her and loose pack in shore, until