came across Evans’s sheep-skin boots this evening.  They were almost covered after their long spell since they fell off the sledge.  The breeze was in from the S.S.W., but got bright and light.  At lunch camp we had completed 8.2 miles.  In the afternoon the breeze fell altogether and the surface acted on by the sun became perfect sand-dust.  The light sledge pulled by five men came along like a drag without a particle of slide or go in it.  We were all glad to camp soon after 7 p.m.  I think we were all pretty tired out.  We did altogether 19.5 miles for the day.  We are now only 30 miles from the 1 1/2 degree depot and should reach it in two marches with any luck.

“January 23.—­Started off with a bit of a breeze which helped us a little.  After the first two hours it increased to force 4 S.S.W., and 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
   march.  We have only three days’ food with us and shall be in Queer
   Street if we miss the depot.

   “Our bags are getting steadily wetter, so are our clothes.

“It shows a tendency to clear off now (breakfast time), so, D.V., we may march after all.  I am in tribulation as regards meals now, as we have run out of salt, one of my favourite commodities.  It was owing to Atkinson’s party taking back an extra tin by mistake from the Upper Glacier Depot.

   “Fortunately we have some depoted there, so I will only have to endure
   another two weeks without it.