“It took us over six hours to get close to the fast ice, which proved to be the Barrier, some immense chunks of which we actually saw break off and join the pack.  Close in, the motion was less owing to the jambing up of the ice somewhere farther west.  We had only just cleared the Strait in time though, as all the ice in the centre, released beyond Cape Armitage, headed off into the middle of the Strait, and thence to the Ross Sea.  Our spirits rose as we neared the Barrier edge, and I made for a big sloping floe which I expected would be touching; at any rate I anticipated no difficulty.  We rushed up the slope towards safety, and were little prepared for the scene that met our eyes at the top.  All along the Barrier face a broad lane of water from thirty to forty feet wide extended.  This was filled with smashed-up brash ice, which was heaving up and down to the swell like the contents of a cauldron.  Killers were cruising there with fiendish activity, and the Barrier edge was a sheer cliff of ice on the other side fifteen to twenty feet high.  It was a case of so near and yet so far.  Suddenly our great sloping floe calved in two, so we beat a hasty retreat.  I selected a sound-looking floe just clear of this turmoil, that was at least ten feet thick, and fairly rounded, with a flat surface.  Here we collected everything and having done all that man could do, we fed the beasts and took counsel.

“Cherry and Crean both volunteered to do anything, in the spirit they had shown right through.  It appeared of first necessity to communicate with Captain Scott.  I guessed his anxiety on our behalf, and, as we could do nothing more, we wanted help of some sort.  It occurred to me that a man working up to windward along the Barrier face might happen upon a floe touching [the Barrier].  It was obviously impossible to take ponies up there anywhere, but an active man might wait his opportunity.  Going to windward, too, he could always retreat on to our floe, as the ice was being pushed together in our direction.  The next consideration was, whom to send.  To go myself was out of the question.  The problem was whether to send one, or both, my companions.  As my object was to save the animals and gear, it appeared to me that one man remaining would be helpless in the event of the floe splitting up, as he would be busy saving himself.  I therefore decided to send one only.  This would have to be Crean, as Cherry, who wears glasses, could not see so well.  Both volunteered, but as I say, I thought out all the pros and cons and sent Crean, knowing that, at the worst, he could get back to us at any time.  I sent a note to Captain Scott, and, stuffing Crean’s pockets with food, we saw him depart.