filling the sail we sped along merrily, doing 8 3/4 miles before
lunch. In the afternoon it was even stronger. I had to go back in the
sledge and act as guide and brakesman. We had to lower the sail a bit,
but even then she ran like a bird. We are picking up our old cairns
famously. Evans got his nose frost-bitten, not an unusual thing with
him, and as we were all getting pretty cold latterly, we stopped at a
quarter to seven, having done 15 1/2 miles. We camped with
considerable difficulty owing to the force of the wind.

"_January_ 24.--Evans got his fingers all blistered with frostbites,
otherwise we are all well, but thinning, and in spite of our good
rations getting hungrier daily.

"I sometimes spend much thought on the march with plans for making a
pig of myself on the first opportunity. As this will be after a
farther walk of 700 miles they will be a bit premature. It was blowing
a gale when we started, and it increased in force. Finally, with the
sail half down, one man detached tracking ahead, and Titus and I
breaking back, we could not always keep the sledge from over-running.
The blizzard got worse and worse, till having done only 7 miles we had
to camp soon after 12 o'clock. We had a most difficult job camping,
and it has been blowing like blazes all the afternoon. I think it is
moderating now--9 p.m.

"We are only 7 miles from our depot and the delay is exasperating.

"_January_ 25.--It was no use turning out at our usual time (5.45
a.m.) as the blizzard was as furious as ever.

"We therefore decided on a late breakfast and no lunch unless able to