At about 4.0 P.M. on February 12th, having come to my decision, I blew the steam whistle for the recall of all hands, who had thoroughly enjoyed their day on the ice. Query had had a splendid time in spite of having once or twice fallen through mushy holes into freezing water, and he came back to the ship thoroughly tired from the unwonted exercise. [Illustration: COMMANDER WILD’S WATCH—McILROY, CARR, WILD, MACKLIN _Photo: Wilkins_] [Illustration: THE “BLACK” WATCH—ROSS, ARGLES, YOUNG, KERR, SMITH _Photo: Wilkins_] [Illustration: WORSLEY’S WATCH—DOUGLAS, WILKINS, WATTS, WORSLEY _Photo: Wilkins_] [Illustration: JEFFREY’S WATCH—McLEOD, MARR, JEFFREY, DELL _Photo: Wilkins_] We had some difficulty in getting under way, but once the ship had gathered momentum she was able to push on through the new ice. Navigation required the utmost watchfulness and care; we could not afford to delay, for minutes totalled up, and the ice was increasing hourly in thickness. Every stop added to the difficulties of getting under way again. I must pay a high tribute to the unremitting energy and unfailing resource of Worsley and Jeffrey at this critical period as we forced our way from the closing grip of the pack. Macklin writes in his diary: The way in which the _Quest_ is made to push ahead and to dodge and wriggle past the most awkward places is wonderful. Kerr is excelling himself below—I hope he does not bust her up, for these engines have given at one time and another a lot of trouble. It is interesting to compare the different watches at work. Commander Wild goes about the job quietly and steadily, without fuss or shouting, and undoubtedly makes the best headway. Old Wuzzles (Worsley) also goes ahead energetically, but to an accompaniment of noise that might waken the dead, for which, perhaps, he is less responsible than some members of his watch. Jeffrey also makes surprisingly good headway, with a running commentary usually the reverse of complimentary on all things frozen.