64 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



far as their leashes or harness allow. The penguins are not 

 daunted in the least, but their ruffs go up and they squawk with 

 semblance of anger, for all the world as though they were re- 

 buking a rude stranger — their attitude might be imagined to 

 convey 'Oh, that's the sort of animal you are; well, you've 

 come to the wrong place — we aren't going to be bluffed and 

 bounced by you,' and then the final fatal steps forward are 

 taken and they come within reach. There is a spring, a squawk, 

 a horrid red patch on the snow, and the incident is closed. 

 Nothing can stop these silly birds. Members of our party rush 

 to head them oft, only to be met with evasions — the penguins 

 squawk and duck as much as to say, ' What's it got to do with 

 you, you silly ass? Let us alone.' 



With the first spilling of blood the skua gulls assemble, 

 and soon, for them at least, there is a gruesome satisfaction to 

 be reaped. Oddly enough, they don't seem to excite the dogs; 

 they simply alight within a few feet and wait for their turn in 

 the drama, clamouring and quarrelling amongst themselves when 

 the spoils accrue. Such incidents were happening constantly to- 

 day, and seriously demoralising the dog teams. Meares was 

 exasperated again and again. 



The motor sledges were running by the afternoon, Day 

 managing one and Nelson the other. In spite of a few minor 

 breakdowns they hauled good loads to the shore. It Is early 

 to call them a success, but they are certainly extremely promising. 



The next thing to be got out of the ship was the hut, and 

 the large quantity of timber comprising it was got out this 

 afternoon. 



And so to-night, with the sun still shining, we look on a 

 very different prospect from that of 48 or even 24 hours ago. 



I have just come back from the shore. 



The site for the hut is levelled and the erecting party is 

 living on shore in our large green tent with a supply of food 

 for eight days. Nearly all the timber, &c., of the hut is on 

 shore, the remainder half-way there. The ponies are picketed 

 in a line on a convenient snow slope so that they cannot eat sand. 

 Oates and Anton are sleeping ashore to watch over them. The 

 dogs are tied to a long length of chain stretched on the sand; 

 they are coiled up after a long day, looking fitter already. 



