long, running out at right
angles to the coast and terminating at the seaward end in a mass of
rock. A long snow-slope joined the spit at the shore end, and it
seemed possible that a "dugout" could be made in the snow. The spit,
in any case, would be a great improvement on our narrow beach. Wild
added that the place he described was the only possible camping-ground
he had seen. Beyond, to the west and south-west, lay a frowning line
of cliffs and glaciers, sheer to the water's edge. He thought that in
very heavy gales either from the south-west or east the spit would be
spray-blown, but that the seas would not actually break over it. The
boats could be run up on a shelving beach.
After hearing this good news I was eager to get away from the beach
camp. The wind when blowing was favourable for the run along the
coast. The weather had been fine for two days and a change might come
at any hour. I told all hands that we would make a start early on the
following morning. A newly killed seal provided a luxurious supper of
steak and blubber, and then we slept comfortably till the dawn.
The morning of April 17 came fine and clear. The sea was smooth, but
in the offing we could see a line of pack, which seemed to be
approaching. We had noticed already pack and bergs being driven by the
current to the east and then sometimes coming back with a rush to the
west.
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