90 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



roofing with that of the porch. The improvement is enormous 

 and will make the greatest difference to those who dwell near the 

 door. 



The carpenter has been setting up standards and roof beams 

 for the stables, which will be completed in a few days. Internal 

 affairs have been straightening out as rapidly as before, and 

 every hour seems to add some new touch for the better. 



This morning I overhauled all the fur sleeping-bags and 

 found them in splendid order — on the whole the skins are excel- 

 lent. Since that I have been trying to work out sledge details, 

 but my head doesn't seem half as clear on the subject as it 

 ought to be. 



I have fixed the 25th as the date for our departure. Evans 

 is to get all the sledges and gear ready whilst Bowers superin- 

 tends the filling of provision bags. 



Griffith Taylor and his companions have been seeking advice 

 as to their Western trip. Wilson, dear chap, has been doing 

 his best to coach them. 



Ponting has fitted up his own dark room — doing the carpen- 

 tering work with extraordinary speed and to everyone's admira- 

 tion. To-night he made a window in the dark room in an hour 

 or so. 



Meares has become enamoured of the gramophone. We 

 find we have a splendid selection of records. The pianola is 

 being brought in sections, but I'm not at all sure it will be worth 

 the trouble. Oates goes steadily on with the ponies — he is per- 

 fectly excellent and untiring in his devotion to the animals. 



Day and Nelson, having given much thought to the proper 

 fitting up of their corner, have now begun work. There seems to 

 be little doubt that these ingenious people will make the most 

 of their allotted space. 



I have done quite a lot of thinking over the autumn jour- 

 neys and a lot remains to be done, mainly on account of the 

 prospect of being cut off from our winter quarters; for this 

 reason we must have a great deal of food for animals and men. 



Friday, January 20. — Our house has assumed great propor- 

 tions. Bowers' annexe is finished, roof and all thoroughly snow 

 tight; an excellent place for spare clothing, furs, and ready 

 use stores, and its extension affording complete protection to the 

 entrance porch of the hut. The stables are nearly finished 



