DOGS AND PONIES AT WORK 97 



at the edge and sank to its stomach in the middle. It couldn't 

 move, and with such struggles as it made it sank deeper till only- 

 its head and forelegs showed above the slush. With some 

 trouble we got ropes on these, and hauling together pulled the 

 poor creature out looking very weak and miserable and trembling 

 much. 



We led the other ponies round farther to the west and 

 eventually got all out on the floe, gave them a small feed, 

 and started them off with their loads. The dogs meanwhile 

 gave some excitement. Starting on hard ice with a light load 

 nothing could hold them, and they dashed off over everything 

 — it seemed wonderful that we all reached the floe in safety. 

 Wilson and I drive one team, whilst Evans and Meares drive 

 the other. I withhold my opinion of the dogs in much doubt 

 as to whether they are going to be a real success — but the ponies 

 are going to be real good. They work with such extraordinary 

 steadiness, stepping out briskly and cheerfully, following in each 

 other's tracks. The great drawback is the ease with which they 

 sink in soft snow : they go through in lots of places where the 

 men scarcely make an impression — they struggle pluckily when 

 they sink, but it is trying to watch them. We came with the 

 loads noted below and one bale of fodder (105 lbs.) added to 

 each sledge. We are camped 6 miles from the glacier and 2 

 from Hut Point — a cold east wind; to-night the temperature 19°. 



Autumn Party to start January 25, 191 1 



12 men,* 8 ponies, 26 dogs. 



First load estimated 5385 lbs., including 14 weeks' food 

 and fuel for men — taken to Cache No. i. 



Ship transports following to Glacier Tongue : 



lbs. 



130 Bales compressed fodder .... 13,650 



24 Cases dog biscuit 1,400 



10 Sacks of oats 1,600 ? 



16,650 



* Viz. Atkinson and Crean, who were left at Safety Camp; E. Evans, Forde and 

 Keohane, who returned with the weaker ponies on Feb. 13; Meares and Wilson with the 

 dog teams; and Scott, Bowers, Gates, Cherry-Garrard, and Lashly. 



VOL. I — 7 



