CHAPTER VI 

 ADVENTURE AND PERIL 



Saturday, February i8. — Camp 12. North 22 miles 1996 

 yards. I scattered some oats 50 yards east of depot.* The 

 minimum thermometer showed —16° when we left camp: inform 

 Simpson! 



The ponies started off well, Gran leading my pony with 

 Weary Willy behind, the Soldier leading his with Cherry's be- 

 hind, and Bowers steering course as before with a light sledge. f 



We started half an hour later, soon overtook the ponies, 

 and luckily picked up a small bag of oats which they had dropped. 

 We went on for 10^ miles and stopped for lunch. After 

 lunch to our astonishment the ponies appeared, going strong. 

 They were making for a camp some miles farther on, and meant 

 to remain there. I'm very glad to have seen them making the 

 pace so well. They don't propose to stop for lunch at all but 

 to march right through 10 or 12 miles a day. I think they will 

 have little difficulty in increasing this distance. 



For the dogs the surface has been bad, and one or another 

 of us on either sledge has been running a good part of the time. 

 But we have covered 23 miles : three marches out. We have 

 four days' food for them and ought to get in very easily. 



As we camp late the temperature is evidently very low and 

 there is a low drift. Conditions are beginning to be severe 

 on the Barrier and I shall be glad to get the ponies into more 

 comfortable quarters. 



Sunday, February 19. — Started 10 P.M. Camped 6.30. 



* This was done in order to measure on the next visit the results of wind and 

 snow. 



t Scott, Wilson, Meares and Cherry-Gerard now went back swiftly with the dog 

 teams, to look after the return parties at Safety Camp. Having found all satisfactory, 

 Scott left Wilson and Meares there with the dogs, and marched back with the rest to 

 Corner Camp, taking more stores to the depot and hoping to meet Bowers rearguard 

 party. 



