drift; in the morning it was blizzing like blazes, and marching was
out of the question. The wind would have been of great assistance to
us, but the drift was so thick that steering a course would have been
next to impossible, so we decided to await developments and get under
way as soon as it showed any signs of clearing. Fortunately it was
short lived, and instead of lasting the regulation two days it went
off in the afternoon, and 2.45 found us off with our sail full. It was
good running on ski, but soft plodding for me on foot. I shall be
jolly glad to pick up my dear old ski. They are nearly 200 miles away
yet, however. The breeze fell altogether latterly, and I shifted up
into my old place, a middle number of the five. Our distance completed
was 5.52 miles when camp was made again. Our old cairns are of great
assistance, also the tracks, which are obliterated in places by heavy
drift and hard sastrugi, but can be followed easily.

"_January_ 22.--We came across Evans's sheep-skin boots this evening.
They were almost covered after their long spell since they fell off
the sledge. The breeze was in from the S.S.W., but got bright and
light. At lunch camp we had completed 8.2 miles. In the afternoon the
breeze fell altogether and the surface acted on by the sun became
perfect sand-dust. The light sledge pulled by five men came along like
a drag without a particle of slide or go in it. We were all glad to
camp soon after 7 p.m. I think we were all pretty tired out. We did
altogether 19.5 miles for the day. We are now only 30 miles from the
1 1/2 degree depot and should reach it in two marches with any luck.

"_January_ 23.--Started off with a bit of a breeze which helped us a
little. After the first two hours it increased to force 4 S.S.W., and
filling the sail we sped along merrily, doing 8 3/4 miles before
lunch. In the afternoon it was even stronger. I had to go back in the
sledge and act as guide and brakesman. We had to lower the sail a bit,
but even then she ran like a bird. We are picking up our old cairns
famously. Evans got his nose frost-bitten, not an unusual thing with
him, and as we were all getting pretty cold latterly, we stopped at a
quarter to seven, having done 15 1/2 miles. We camped with
considerable difficulty owing to the force of the wind.

"_January_ 24.--Evans got his fingers all blistered