Then she gathered stern way and was clear.  The relief was enormous.

The wind dropped as she came off, and she is now securely moored off the northern ice edge, where I hope the greater number of her people are finding rest.  For here and now I must record the splendid manner in which these men are working.  I find it difficult to express my admiration for the manner in which the ship is handled and worked under these very trying circumstances.

From Pennell down there is not an officer or man who has not done his job nobly during the past weeks, and it will be a glorious thing to remember the unselfish loyal help they are giving us.

Pennell has been over to tell me all about it to-night; I think I like him more every day.

Campbell and his party returned late this afternoon—­I have not heard details.

Meares and Oates went to the Glacier Tongue and satisfied themselves that the ice is good.  It only has to remain another three days, and it would be poor luck if it failed in that time.

Sunday, January 22.—­A quiet day with little to record.

The ship lies peacefully in the bay; a brisk northerly breeze in the forenoon died to light airs in the evening—­it is warm enough, the temperature in the hut was 63 deg. this evening.  We have had a long busy day at clothing—­everyone sewing away diligently.  The Eastern Party ponies were put on board the ship this morning.

Monday, January 23.—­Placid conditions last for a very short time in these regions.  I got up at 5 this morning to find the weather calm and beautiful, but to my astonishment an opening lane of water between the land and the ice in the bay.  The latter was going out in a solid mass.

The ship discovered it easily, got up her ice anchors, sent a boat ashore, and put out to sea to dredge.  We went on with our preparations, but soon Meares brought word that the ice in the south bay was going in an equally rapid fashion.  This proved an exaggeration, but an immense piece of floe had separated from the land.  Meares and I walked till we came to the first ice.  Luckily we found that it extends for some 2 miles along the rock of our Cape, and we discovered a possible way to lead ponies down to it.  It was plain that only the ponies could go by it—­no loads.

Since that everything has been rushed—­and a wonderful day’s work has resulted; we have got all the forage and food sledges and equipment off to the ship—­the dogs will follow in an hour, I hope, with pony harness, &c., that is everything to do with our depot party, except the ponies.

As at present arranged they are to cross the Cape and try to get over the Southern Road [8] to-morrow morning.  One breathes a prayer that the Road holds for the few remaining hours.  It goes in one place between a berg in open water and a large pool of the glacier face—­it may be weak in that part, and at any moment the narrow isthmus may break away.  We are doing it on a very narrow margin.