We cooked ourselves a tremendous meal, which we ate steadily from 4 to
5.30, and then we discussed marching on to our winter quarters at Cape
Evans, fifteen miles farther.

Had we started we might have got in by 3 a.m., but not before. We had
marched all through one night, and besides digging out Corner Camp, we
had covered nearly thirty-five miles, which on top of a day's work we
considered good enough. We therefore prepared the hut for the night; two
of us turned in about seven and soon fell asleep. Gran remained sitting
at the stove, as his bag was in such a shockingly iced-up condition that
he could not yet get into it. He awoke us about 10 p.m. with more food,
cocoa and porridge, both of which were excellent. I full well remember
that he put about four ounces of butter into each bowl of porridge, which
we mightily enjoyed. We then slept again till morning--a long, warm,
dreamless sleep.

We had an easy march back to Cape Evans on the sea ice, and arrived in
the evening at the Main Hut, which appeared to us like a palace after our
cold spring journey.




CHAPTER XI


PREPARATIONS AND PLANS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON


Whilst the spring depot-laying party was absent, Scott, on September 15,