MIDNIGHT LUNCHES 309 



Victor and Michael forged ahead again, and the remaining 

 three of us came in after taking a little under five hours to 

 cover the distance. 



We were none too soon, as the weather had been steadily- 

 getting worse, and soon after our arrival it was blowing a gale. 



Thursday, November 2. — Hut Point. The march teaches 

 a good deal as to the paces of the ponies. It reminded me of 

 a regatta or a somewhat disorganised fleet with ships of very 

 unequal speed. The plan of further advance has now been 

 evolved. We shall start in three parties — the very slow ponies, 

 the medium paced, and the fliers. Snatcher starting last will 

 probably overtake the leading unit. All this requires a good 

 deal of arranging. We have decided to begin night marching, 

 and shall get away after supper, I hope. The weather is hourly 

 improving, but at this season that does not count for much. 

 At present our ponies are very comfortably stabled. Michael, 

 Chinaman and James Pigg are actually in the hut. Chinaman 

 kept us alive last night by stamping on the floor. Meares and 

 Demetri are here with the dog team, and Pouting with a great 

 photographic outfit. I fear he won't get much chance to get 

 results. 



Friday, November 3. — Camp i. A keen wind with some 

 drift at Hut Point, but we sailed away in detachments. Atkin- 

 son's party, Jehu, Chinaman and Jimmy Pigg led off at eight. 

 Just before ten Wilson, Cherry-Garrard and I left. Our ponies 

 marched steadily and well together over the sea ice. The wind 

 dropped a good deal, but the temperature with it, so that the 

 little remaining was very cutting. We found Atkinson at Safety 

 Camp. He had lunched and was just ready to march out again; 

 he reports Chinaman and Jehu tired. Ponting arrived soon after 

 we had camped with Demetri and a small dog team. The 

 cinematograph was up in time to catch the flying rearguard 

 which came along in fine form, Snatcher leading and being 

 stopped every now and again — a wonderful little beast. Christo- 

 pher had given the usual trouble when harnessed, but was evi- 

 dently subdued by the Barrier Surface. However, it was not 

 thought advisable to halt him, and so the party fled through in 

 the wake of the advance guard. 



After lunch we packed up and marched on steadily as be- 

 fore. I don't like these midnight lunches, but for man the 



