to
Campbell's splendid leadership, the Northern Party all got through to the
winter quarters alive. Browning had to be carried on the sledge part of
the way, but fortunately they picked up one of Griffith-Taylor's depots,
and the biscuit found here quite altered Browning's condition.

Poor Campbell was glad to get his party out of the dirt and dark of the
igloo, but they were so weak that they could only march a mile from the
first day, however the sledging ration contained good foodstuff compared
to what they had eaten for weeks previously; and, oh, wise precaution!
Campbell had deposited a small store of spare wind clothing and woollen
underclothes against the journey over the sea to Cape Evans. This he
issued on leaving that awful "igloo," and the luxury of getting into dry,
clean clothing after the greasy rags they discarded was indescribable.
For nine months had they worn those dirty garments without change.

The second day homeward at most gave five miles, but although tired out
the party were in good spirits "at leaving the dirt and squalor of the
hut behind." They were making their way south along the coast, sledging
over the "Piedmont." Shortly after starting, the company were faced with
an enormous crevasse, but this was safely negotiated by means of a snow
bridge "175 paces across." Pace gradually lengthened and strengthened,
and on 12th October 11 miles was covered, and on camping Erebus and Mount
Melbourne were both in sight.

I do not propose to write a description of this journey back, it was not
so dangerous as others had been, because seals and Emperor penguins were
met with along the route, and so they ran no risk of starving; but they
ran a great risk of losing Browning, who caused the doctor the gravest
concern. They laboured home, however, and the leader's diary for one Red
Letter, and Two Black Letter days must be included here, for they explain
themselves:

"October 29.--Turned out at 4.30 a.m. A fine day, but a bank of cloud
to the south and a cold westerly wind. A two hours' march brought us
to Cape Roberts, where I saw through my glasses a bamboo stuck on the
top of the cape. Leaving the sledges, Priestley and I climbed the
cape, when we found a record left by the Western Party last year
before they were picked up, and giving their movements, while near by
was a depot of provisions they had left behind. We gave such a yell
the others ran up the slope at once. It seem