off and farther beyond the Bluff than the old Discovery Depot A, which was practically the same position Shackleton used.  In both cases, Scott and Shackleton were keeping nearer the coast; now, however, that the Beardmore has been discovered we can aim straight for that, which takes one farther east by at least 15 miles off the Bluff.  This is rather an advantage, I think, as close in to this remarkable headland the onward movement of the Barrier arrested by the immovable hills causes a terrific chaos of crevasses off the cliffs at the end.  These extend many miles and include some chasms big enough to take the Terra Nova all standing.  Needless to remark, one is well clear of this sort of scenery with ponies—­hence our course.  I was unable to get any observations, unfortunately, as it clouded over almost at once and later in the day started to snow without wind.  This often happens before a bliz, and as we were anxious about the ponies to say nothing of our own shortage of biscuit we felt a trifle apprehensive.  It was very gloomy when we left camp at midnight, as the midnight sun was already cartwheeling the southern horizon, the first sign of autumn, also the season had undoubtedly broken up, and the sky was covered with low stratus clouds as thick as a hedge.  We lost sight of the cairn almost at once and followed the remains of old tracks for a little while till the snowy gloom made it impossible to see them.  You will remember that it was at the Bluff Camp that Teddy Evans returned with the three weak ponies, so there were plenty of traces of our march now.  Just on four miles from the start I saw a small mound some distance to the west, and struck over there:  it was a small cairn without the signs of a camp and rather puzzled me at the time.  As I shall mention it later I will call it X for convenience.  We then pushed on and I found steering most difficult.  In the fuzzy nothingness ahead one could see no point on which to fix the eye, and the compass required standing still to look at it every time.  Our sledging compasses are spirit ones, and as steady as a small hand compass could possibly be.  You will understand, however, that owing to the proximity of the Magnetic Pole the pull on the needle is chiefly downwards.  It is forced into a horizontal position by a balancing weight on the N. side, so it is obvious that its direction power is greatly reduced.  On the ship, owing to the vibration of the engines and the motors, we were absolutely unable to steer by the compass at all when off the region of the Magnetic Pole.

On this occasion (February 21) we zig-zagged all over the place—­first I went ahead, and Oates said I zig-zagged, then he went ahead, and I understood at once, as it was impossible to walk straight for two consecutive minutes.  However, we plodded along with frequent stoppages till the wind came away, and then having determined the direction of that, steered by keeping the snow on our backs.  The wind was not strong enough to be unpleasant, and all