to camp on account of Day's sledge giving out at 5 p.m.--we daren't stop
for lunch earlier, for once stopped one never could say when a re-start
could be made.

We depoted here four big tins of petrol and two drums of filtrate to
lighten load of Day's sledge. Started off at six and soon found that the
big end brass on No. 2 cylinder of this sledge had given out, so dropped
two more tins of petrol and a case of filtrate oils. We thereupon
continued at a snail's pace, until at 9.15 the connecting rod broke
through the piston. We decided to abandon this sledge, and made a depot
of the spare clothing, seal meat, Xmas fare, ski belonging to Atkinson
and Wright, and four heavy cases of dog biscuit. I left a note in a
conspicuous position on the depot, which we finished constructing at
midnight. We wasted no time in turning in.

The clouds were radiating from the S.E., a precursor of blizzard, we
feared, and sure enough we got it next day, when it burst upon us whilst
we were putting on our footgear after breakfast. There was nothing for it
but to get back into our sleeping-bags, wherein we spent the day.

On the 31st we were out of our bags and about, soon after six, to find it
still drifting but showing signs of clearing. After breakfast we dug out
sledges, and Lashly and Day got the snow out of the motor, a long and
rotten job. The weather cleared about 11 a.m. and we got under way at
noon. It turned out very fine and we advanced our weights 7 miles 600
yards, camping at 10.40. P.M.

As will be seen, these were long days, and although he did not say it,
Day must have felt the crushing disappointment of the failure of the
motors--it was not his fault, it was a question of trial and experience.