The sufferer was quite helpless, and had
to be lifted and carried about, but his courage did not fail him. His
words were cheerful even when his physical suffering and weakness were
most pronounced. The distance for February 1 was 13 miles. The next
morning the party abandoned one sledge in order to lighten the load,
and proceeded with a single sledge, Spencer-Smith lying on top of the
stores and gear. The distance for the day was 15? miles. They picked
up the 82° S. depot on February 3, and took one week's provisions,
leaving two weeks' rations for the overland party. Joyce, Wild,
Richards, and Hayward were feeling fit. Mackintosh was lame and weak;
Spencer-Smith's condition was alarming. The party was being helped by
strong southerly winds, and the distances covered were decidedly good.
The sledge-meter recorded 15 miles 1700 yds. on February 4, 17 miles
1400 yds. on the 5th, 18 miles 1200 yds. on the 6th, and 13 miles 1000
yds. on the 7th, when the 81° S. depot was picked up at 10.30 a.m., and
one week's stores taken, two weeks' rations being left.
The march to the next depot, at 80° S., was uneventful. The party
made good marches in spite of bad surfaces and thick weather, and
reached the depot late in the afternoon of February 12. The supply of
stores at this depot was ample, and the men took a fortnight's rations
(calculated on a three-man basis), leaving nearly four weeks' rations.
Pages:
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473