away in this high wind. Had that happened we should have been left to
starve on the tiny island. The position was not an enviable one. We got
back into our bags, which were, as stated, wet and beastly, after a
scanty supper and tried to sleep, but our feet were wet too, and cold, so
that few of us could do more than close our eyes. The night passed slowly
enough, and we turned out at 7 a.m. to cook what remained of our food
before attempting to make Cape Evans. We were glad that it had stopped
snowing and, although the light was bad enough, we could just make out
the ice foot showing up bold and white on the south side of the Cape.
After the meal we struck camp, formed marching order, and started half
running for winter quarters. Covering a couple of miles we found, to our
great relief, that the fast ice not only extended up to the Cape but
right round into North Bay. We soon sighted the hut, and shortly after
saw some people working outside. Directly they saw us in they ran to
bring the others out at full speed, and coming to meet us they cheered
and greeted us, then hauled our sledges in. It appeared they were unable
to recognise any of us owing to our dirty and dishevelled state. This was
not to be wondered at, for we had not washed nor had we shaved for eighty
days: We all talked hard and exchanged news. Ponting lined us up to be
photographed--the first nine Bolshevists--we looked such awful
blackguards.

Now, April 13, 1911, as communication had been established between Hut
Point and Cape Evans, we settled down for the winter. I shall never
forget the breakfast that Clissold prepared for us at 10.30 that morning.
It was delicious--hot rolls, heaps of butter, milk, sugar, jam, a fine
plate of tomato soup, and fried seal cooked superbly. The meal over, we
shaved, bathed, and put on clean clothes, smoked cigarettes, and took a
day's holiday. At 10 o'clock that evening, by prearrangement, Very's
lights were fired to let them know at Hut Point of our safe arrival. Our