Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/572

the first watch on the 28th that the ship could secure Feb. 28. Off Castle Rock. alongside the fast ice about ½ mile north of Hut Point and Atkinson and his party were able to bring Evans on board. The opportunity was taken to land two sledge loads of stores that would be useful at Discovery hut.

The ship at once proceeded to Cape Evans, and by everyone on shore and aboard lending a willing hand the remainder of the stores (about nineteen tons) was landed in the boats between 2 a.m. and 7.30 a.m., in a perfect calm and beautiful weather.

As soon as the last boat came off, the ship left for Terra Nova Bay again. It was essential that Lieutenant Feb. 29, 1912, 77° 7′ S., 166° 25′ E. Evans should have a doctor with him for a few days more and so Atkinson had to go in her, though it was quite likely that she might not be able to re-enter the Sound.

Conditions off Terra Nova Bay had not improved, and the ship ran up and down outside the heavier pack March 1 and 2. Off Terra Nova Bay. trying it in places wherever a sign of weakness showed; but with always the same result, that after entering two or three miles through pack which gradually grew heavier she would be brought up. Once, indeed, she managed to work through to a position north-east seven miles from the end of the Drygalski Barrier, but even here she was 35 miles from her destination, and this was the last flicker of reasonable hope.

The following extract is from the ship's log: