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CHAPTER XV FARTHEST SOUTH JANUARY 9, 1909 The Union Jack planted in 88° 23' South, Longitude 162° East January 9.
Our last day outwards. We have shot our bolt, snd the tale is latitude
88° 23'
South, longitude 162° East. The wind eased down at 1 A.M., and at 2
A.M. we
were up and had breakfast. At 4 A.M. started south, with the Queen's
Union
Jack, a brass cylinder containing stamps and documents to place at the
furthest
south point, camera, glasses, and compass. At 9 A.M. we were in 88° 23'
South,
half running and half walking over a surface much hardened by the
recent
blizzard. It was strange for us to go along without the nightmare of a
sledge
dragging behind us. We hoisted Her Majesty's flag and the other Union
Jack
afterwards, and took possession of the plateau in the name of His
Majesty.
While the Union Jack blew out stiffly in the icy gale that cut us to
the bone,
we looked south with our powerful glasses, but could see nothing but
the dead
white snow plain. There was no break in the plateau as it extended
towards the
Pole, and we feel sure that the goal we have failed to reach lies on
this
plain. We stayed only a few minutes, and then, taking the Queen's flag
and
eating our scanty meal as we went, we hurried back and reached our camp
about 3
P.M. We were so dead tired that we only did two hours' march in the
afternoon
and camped at 5.30 P.M. The temperature was minus 19° Fehr. Fortunately
for us,
our tracks were not obliterated by the blizzard; indeed, they stood up,
making
a trail easily followed. Homeward bound at last. Whatever regrets may
be, we
have done our best. FARTHEST SOUTH, JANUARY 9, 1909 |