294 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [October 



able even on three legs. Oates, Bowers, and Anton gather round 

 the beast and lash up one foreleg, then with his head held on 

 both sides Oates gathers back the traces; quick as lightning 

 the little beast flashes round with heels flying aloft. This goes 

 on till some degree of exhaustion gives the men a better chance. 

 But, as I have mentioned, during the last two days the period 

 has been so prolonged that Oates has had to hasten matters 

 by tying a short line to the other foreleg and throwing the beast 

 v\hen he lashes out. Even when on his knees he continues to 

 struggle, and one of those nimble hind legs may fly out at any 

 time. Once in the sledge and started on three legs all is well and 

 the fourth leg can be released. At least, all has been well until 

 to-day, when quite a comedy was enacted. He was going along 

 quietly with Oates when a dog frightened him : he flung up his 

 head, twitched the rope out of Oates' hands and dashed away. 

 It was not a question of blind fright, as immediately after gain- 

 ing freedom he set about most systematically to get rid of his 

 load. At first he gave sudden twists, and in this manner suc- 

 ceeded in dislodging two bales of hay; then he caught sight of 

 other sledges and dashed for them. They could scarcely get 

 out of his way in time; the fell intention was evident all through, 

 to dash his load against some other pony and sledge and so free 

 himself of it. He ran for Bowers two or three times with this 

 design, then made for Keohane, never going off far and dashing 

 inward with teeth bared and heels flying all over the place. By 

 this time people were gathering round, and first one and then 

 another succeeded in clambering on to the sledge as it flew by, 

 till Oates, Bowers, Nelson, and Atkinson were all sitting on it. 

 He tried to rid himself of this human burden as he had of the 

 hay bales, and succeeded in dislodging Atkinson with violence, 

 but the remainder dug their heels into the snow and finally the 

 little brute was tired out. Even then he tried to savage anyone 

 approaching his leading line, and it was some time before Oates 

 could get hold of it. Such is the tale of Christopher. I am 

 exceedingly glad there are not other ponies like him. These 

 capers promise trouble, but I think a little soft snow on the 

 Barrier may effectually cure them. 



E. R. Evans and Gran return to-night. We received notice 

 of their departure from Hut Point through the telephone, which 

 also informed us that Meares had departed for his first trip 



