The vital question for us was whether or not the ice would open sufficiently to release us, or at least give us a chance of release, before the drift carried us into the most dangerous area.

There was no answer to be got from the silent bergs and the grinding floes, and we faced the month of October with anxious hearts.
The leads in the pack appeared to have opened out a little on October 1, but not sufficiently to be workable even if we had been able to release the 'Endurance' from the floe.

The day was calm, cloudy and misty in the forenoon and clearer in the afternoon, when we observed well-defined parhelia.

The ship was subjected to slight pressure at intervals.

Two bull crab-eaters climbed on to the floe close to the ship and were shot by Wild.