ade their way to Cape Evans via the Castle Rock, Glacier Tongue
route, as described in the earlier part of this narrative, but, as it
happens, under almost unparalleled conditions, for they sailed over the
ice, riding on their sledge, such was the excellence of the sea-ice
surface.

The indefatigable Atkinson called the members together to discuss plans
and decide as to future relief work. The idea of making a farther journey
on to the Ice Barrier to succour Scott was rejected as useless--for there
was no hope whatever for the Southern party, and Atkinson himself knew
what the Barrier travelling was like. There was, however, a chance of
relieving Campbell and his five companions, known to have been set ashore
in the neighbourhood of Terra Nova Bay, and with this end in view,
Atkinson, Wright, Keohane, Williamson, Gran, and Dimitri set off on April
13.

The last two were left at Hut Point whilst Atkinson and the other three
worked round the Southern end of McMurdo Sound on the sea-ice and up the
coast to Butter Point. It was a dangerous proceeding, but Atkinson was
undaunted by the perils of the sea ice breaking up, and he carried out a
tip-and-run sort of journey with great pluck and endurance, establishing
a depot of a fortnight's foodstuffs at Butter Point. On April. 20 the ice
was seen to break up and drift seawards from Butter Point, thus finally
putting a stop to any further search or relief work.

A somewhat hazardous return journey landed Atkinson's team at Hut Point,
and his whole party was re-collected at the Cape Evans Base by May 1 with
the dogs.

Here Lashly was looking after the seven mules presented by the Indian
Government, which the ship had brought down to enable Scott to explore
further the extent of the Victoria Land Coast, S.E. of the Beardmore.
Everything at Cape Evans in the scientific line was carried on as in the
preceding winter, and although the staff was reduced the records and
observations were continued as heretofore.

The Second Winter Party consisted of:

_Officers_--Atkinson, Wright, Debenham, Nelson, Cherry-Garrard, Gran.
_Men_--Archer, Williamson, Crean, Lashly, Keohane, Dimitri, Hooper.

Mr. Archer, our capable chief cook and steward, replaced Clissold, and
Williamson exchanged with Forde. The winter work of the Hut was
reorganised by Atkinson, so that every one was detailed to do that for
which he was best suited. Considering what the party had faced already,
that they were li