t is weary work waiting in the tent for weather to improve. During this
time Hurley amused himself and us by composing a Christmas carol on the
Christmas dinner; a fragment from which has already appeared. I whiled
away a whole afternoon, cutting up the remains of two cigars which had
refused to draw. Sliced up with a pair of scissors and mixed with a few
of Hurley's cigarettes, they made very good smoking tobacco.

On the 7th the sky was immovable, and we trekked four miles due east,
camped once more and walked about without finding our goal.

I now decided that if the weather did not improve by the morning, we
should have to dash for the north. It was a risk, but matters were
coming to a serious pass. On broaching the subject to Webb and Hurley,
they unconditionally agreed with me.

At 3 A.M. the sky cleared rapidly and we turned out and saw the ramps
plainly to the east. Webb set up the theodolite while Hurley and I paced
out a half-mile base-line to find out the intervening distance. Just
as we got to the end of it, however, the clouds came over again and the
ramps faded.

There was only one thing for it now, and that was to make a break for
the coast. Of food, there was one full day's ration with enough pemmican
for half a hoosh, six lumps of sugar and nine raisins, rather the worse
for wear, oil for two days, and, last but not least, a pint of alcohol.
After four days on half-rations we felt fairly fit, thanks no doubt to
the good meals of the previous week.

There were sixty-seven miles to go, and in case we did not happen on
the narrow descent to the Hut, the food was apportioned to last for
five days. Everything unessential was stripped off the sledge, including
dip-circle, thermometers, hypsometer, camera, spare clothing and most of
the medical and repair kits.

At 7 A.M. we set off on the final stage of the journey. The sky was
densely overcast and snow was falling, but there was a strong wind
almost behind. We would march for an hour by my wrist-watch, halt for
five minutes and on again till all agreed that we had covered ten miles;
when it was lunch time. Each man's share of this consisted of one-third
of a biscuit, one-third of an ounce of butter and a drink made of a
spoonful of glaxo-and-sugar and one of absolute alcohol, mixed in a mug
of lukewarm water. We could not afford oil enough to do much more than
thaw the water, but the alcohol warmed us splendidly, enabling us to get
a good rest.

Afte