We have an increasing desire in any case to get firm ground under our feet.

The floe has been a good friend to us, but it is reaching the end of its journey, and it is liable at any time now to break up and fling us into the unplumbed sea." A little later, after reviewing the whole situation in the light of our circumstances, I made up my mind that we should try to reach Deception Island.

The relative positions of Clarence, Elephant, and Deception Islands can be seen on the chart.

The two islands first named lay comparatively near to us and were separated by some eighty miles of water from Prince George Island, which was about 150 miles away from our camp on the berg.

From this island a chain of similar islands extends westward, terminating in Deception Island.