288 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [Octobir 



and almost died after swimming ashore from the ship — he was 

 one of the ponies returned by Campbell. He has been improv- 

 ing the whole of the winter and Oates has been surprised at 

 the apparent recovery; he looks well and feeds well, though a 

 very weedily built animal compared with the others. I had not 

 expected him to last long, but it will be a bad blow if he fails 

 at the start. I'm afraid there is much pony trouble in store 

 for us. 



Oates is having great trouble with Christopher, who didn't 

 at all appreciate being harnessed on Sunday, and again to-day he 

 broke away and galloped off over the floe. 



On such occasions Oates trudges manfully after him, rounds 

 him up to within a few hundred yards of the stable and ap- 

 proaches cautiously; the animal looks at him for a minute or 

 two and canters off over the floe again. When Christopher and 

 indeed both of them have had enough of the game, the pony 

 calmly stops at the stable door. If not too late he is then put 

 into the sledge, but this can only be done by tying up one of 

 his forelegs; when harnessed and after he has hopped along on 

 three legs for a few paces, he is again allowed to use the fourth. 

 He is going to be a trial, but he Is a good strong pony and should 

 do yeoman serv^ice. 



Day is increasingly hopeful about the motors. He is an 

 ingenious person and has been turning up new rollers out of 

 a baulk of oak supplied by Meares, and with Simpson's small 

 motor as a lathe. The motors may save the situation. I have 

 been busy drawing up instructions and making arrangements for 

 the ship, shore station, and sledge parties in the coming season. 

 There is still much work to be done and much, far too much, 

 writing before me. 



Time simply flies and the sun steadily climbs the heavens. 

 Breakfast, lunch, and supper are now all enjoyed by sunlight, 

 whilst the night Is no longer dark. 



Notes at End of Volume 



' When thej' after their headstrong manner, conclude that it is their 

 duty to rush on their journey all weathers ; . . .' — * Pilgrim's Progress.' 



* Has any grasped the low grey mist which stands 

 Ghostlike at eve above the sheeted lands.' 



