I was leading
the way over this plateau when I suddenly found myself up to my knees
in water and quickly sinking deeper through the snow-crust. I flung
myself down and called to the others to do the same, so as to
distribute our weight on the treacherous surface. We were on top of a
small lake, snow-covered. After lying still for a few moments we got to
our feet and walked delicately, like Agag, for 200 yds., until a rise
in the surface showed us that we were clear of the lake.
At 1.30 p.m. we climbed round a final ridge and saw a little steamer,
a whaling-boat, entering the bay 2500 ft, below. A few moments later,
as we hurried forward, the masts of a sailing-ship lying at a wharf
came in sight. Minute figures moving to and fro about the boats caught
our gaze, and then we saw the sheds and factory of Stromness whaling-
station. We paused and shook hands, a form of mutual congratulation
that had seemed necessary on four other occasions in the course of the
expedition. The first time was when we landed on Elephant Island, the
second when we reached South Georgia, and the third when we reached the
ridge and saw the snow-slope stretching below on the first day of the
overland journey, then when we saw Husvik rocks.
Cautiously we started down the slope that led to warmth and comfort.
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