the old landing-place no longer existed.

The whole of the sledging provisions and gear were brought out, weighed
and packed on the sledges; the total weight being one thousand two
hundred and thirty-three pounds. Dovers, Harrisson, Hoadley, Jones,
Moyes and myself were to constitute the party.

It was necessary for two men to remain behind at the base to keep the
meteorological records, to wind chronometers, to feed the dogs and to
bring up the remainder of the stores from the edge of the ice-cliff.
Kennedy, the magnetician, had to stay, as two term days** were due in
the next month. It was essential that we should have a medical man with
us, so Jones was included in the sledging party; the others drawing lots
to decide who should remain with Kennedy. The unlucky one was Watson.

** Days set apart by previous arrangement for magnetic "quick runs."

To the south of the Base, seventeen miles distant at the nearest point,
the mainland was visible, entirely ice-clad, running almost due east and
west. It appeared to rise rapidly to about three thousand feet, and
then to ascend more gradually as the great plateau of the Antarctic
continent. It was my intention to travel inland beyond the lower
ice-falls, which extended in an irregular line of riven bluffs all along
the coast, and then to lay a depot or depots which might be useful on
the next season's journeys. Another reason for making the journey was to
give the party some experience in sledging work. The combined weight of
both sledges and effects was one thousand two hundred and thirty-three
pounds, and the total amount of food carried was four hundred and sixty
pounds.

While the sledges were being loaded, ten skua gulls paid us a visit,
and, as roast skua is a very pleasant change of food, Jones shot six of
them.

At 1 P.M. we left the hut, making an east-south-east course to clear a
pressure-ridge; altering the course once more to south-east. The coast
in this direction looked accessible, whereas a line running due south
would have brought us to some unpromising ice-falls by a shorter route.

The surface was very good and almost free from crevasses; only one, into
which Jones fell to his middle, being seen during the afternoon's march.
Not wishing to do too much the first day, especially after the "soft"
days we had been forced to spend in the hut during the spell of bad
weather, I made two short halts in the afternoon and camped at 5 P.M.,
having done s