The sun was shining and we had intended rising at 10 A.M.,
but Mertz was not well and thought that the rest would be good for him.
I spent the time improving some of the gear, mending Mertz's clothing
and cooking a quantity of the meat.

"January 5.--The sky was overcast, snow was falling, and there was
a strong wind. Mertz suggested that as the conditions were so bad we
should delay another day.

"Lying in the damp bags was wretched and was not doing either of us any
good, but what was to be done? Outside, the conditions were abominable.
My companion was evidently weaker than I, and it was apparently quite
true that he was not making much of the dogs' meat.

"January 6.--A better day but the sky remained overcast. Mertz agreed to
try another stage."

The grade was slightly downhill and the wind well behind. Unfortunately
the surface was slippery and irregular and falls were frequent. These
told very much upon my companion until, after consistently demurring,
he at last consented to ride on the sledge. With the wind blowing behind
us, it required no great exertion to bring the load along, though it
would often pull up suddenly against sastrugi. After we had covered two
and a half miles, Mertz became so cold through inaction in the wind that
there was nothing to do but pitch the tent.

Mertz appeared to be depressed and, after the short meal, sank back into
his bag without saying much. Occasionally, during the day, I would ask
him how he felt, or we would return to the old subject of food. It
was agreed that on our arrival on board the 'Aurora' Mertz was to make
penguin omelettes, for we had never forgotten the excellence of those we
had eaten just before leaving the Hut.

Reviewing the situation, I found that we were one hundred miles
south-east of Winter Quarters where food and plenty awaited us. At
the time we had still ordinary rations for several days. How short a
distance it would seem to the vigorous, but what a lengthy journey for
the weak and famished!

The skin was peeling off our bodies and a very poor substitute remained
which burst readily and rubbed raw in many places. One day, I remember,
Mertz ejaculated, "Just a moment," and, reaching over, lifted from my
ear a perfect skin-cast. I was able to do the same for him. As we never
took off our clothes, the peelings of hair and skin from our bodies
worked down into our under-trousers and socks, and regular clearances
were made.

During the evening of