I9II] LOSS OF PONIES 129 



must all learn to run with the teams and the Russian custom 

 must be dropped. Meares, I think, rather imagined himself rac- 

 ing to the Pole and back on a dog sledge. This journey has 

 opened his eyes a good deal. 



We reached Safety Camp (dist. 14 miles) at 4.30 A.M.; 

 found Evans and his party in excellent health, but, alas! with 

 only one pony. As far as I can gather Forde's pony only got 4 

 miles back from the Bluff Camp; then a blizzard came on, and in 

 spite of the most tender care from Forde the pony sank under 

 it. Evans says that Forde spent hours with the animal trying 

 to keep it going, feeding it, walking it about; at last he re- 

 turned to the tent to say that the poor creature had fallen; they 

 all tried to get it on its feet again but their efforts were useless. 

 It couldn't stand, and soon after it died. 



Then the party marched some 10 miles, but the blizzard 

 had had a bad effect on Blossom — it seemed to have shrivelled 

 him up, and now he was terribly emaciated. After this march 

 he could scarcely move. Evans describes his efforts as pathetic; 

 he got on 100 yards, then stopped with legs outstretched and 

 nose to the ground. They rested him, fed him well, covered 

 him with rugs; but again all efforts were unavailing. The last 

 stages came with painful detail. So Blossom is also left on the 

 Southern Road. 



The last pony, James Pigg, as he is called, has thriven amaz- 

 ingly — of course great care has been taken with him and he is 

 now getting full feed and very light work, so he ought to do 

 well. The loss is severe; but they were the two oldest ponies 

 of our team and the two which Oates thought of least use. 



Atkinson and Crean have departed, leaving no trace — not 

 even a note. 



Crean had carried up a good deal of fodder, and some seal 

 meat was found buried. 



After a few hours' sleep we are off for Hut Point. 



There are certain points in night marching, if only for the 

 glorious light effects which the coming night exhibits. 



Wednesday, February 22. — 10 P.M. Safety Camp. Turned 

 out at 1 1 this morning after 4 hours' sleep. 



Wilson, Meares, Evans, Cherry-Garrard, and I went to Hut 

 Point. Found a great enigma. The hut was cleared and habit- 

 able — but no one was there. A pencil line on the wall said that 



VOL. I — 9 



