about one
o’clock P.M
We now know the thickness of the ice-wall , and as we promised not to be away longer than forty-eight hours , I think it is time to retrace our steps . '' Mrs Barnett saw the justice of the Lieutenant 's remark . They had ascertained that the barrier of ice was of moderate thickness , that it would melt away quickly enough to allow of the passage of Mac-Nab 's boat after the thaw , and it would therefore be well to hasten back lest a snow-storm or change in the weather of any kind should render return through the winding valley difficult . The party breakfasted and set out on the return journey about one o'clock P.M. . The night was passed as before in an ice-cavern , and the route resumed at eight o'clock the next morning , March 9th . The travellers now turned their backs upon the sun , as they were making for the west , but the weather was fine , and the orb of day , already high in the heavens , flung some of its rays across the valley and lit up the glittering ice-walls on either side . Mrs Barnett and Kalumah were a little behind the rest of the party chatting together , and looking about them as they wound through the narrow passages pointed out by Marbre and Sabine .