Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 1.djvu/126

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64
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION
[December

sail in to clear the atmosphere. If this does not improve matters we must hang more carcases in the rigging.

Later, 6 p.m.—The wind has backed from S.E. to E.S.E. and the swell is going down—this seems to argue open water in the first but not in the second direction and that the course we pursue is a good one on the whole.

The sky is clearing but the wind still gusty, force 4 to 7; the ice has frozen a little and we've made no progress since noon.

9 p.m.—One of the ponies went down to-night. He has been down before. It may mean nothing; on the other hand it is not a circumstance of good omen.

Otherwise there is nothing further to record, and I close this volume of my Journal under circumstances which cannot be considered cheerful.

A FRESH MS. BOOK. 1910-11
[On the Flyleaf]

'And in regions far
Such heroes bring ye forth
As those from whom we came
And plant our name
Under that star
Not known unto our North.’

'To the Virginian Voyage.'

Drayton.

'But be the workemen what they may be, let us speake of the worke; that is, the true greatnesse of Kingdom and estates; and the meanes thereof.'Bacon.

Still in the Ice

Wednesday, December 28, 1910.—Obs. Noon, 69° 17′ S., 179° 42′ W. Made good since 26th S. 74 W. 31′; C. Crozier S. 22 W. 530′. The gale has abated. The sky began