I9II] A HEAD WIND 



317 



Wright left his pony to examine his sledgemeter. Chinaman 

 evidently didn't like being left behind and set off at a canter 

 to rejoin the main body. Wright's long legs barely carried him 

 fast enough to stop this fatal stampede, but the ridiculous sight 

 was due to the fact that old Jehu caught the infection and set 

 off at a sprawling canter in Chinaman's wake. As this is the 

 pony we thought scarcely capable of a single march at start, one 

 is agreeably surprised to find him still displaying such com- 

 mendable spirit. Christopher is troublesome as ever at the 

 start; I fear that signs of tameness will only indicate absence 

 of strength. The dogs followed us so easily over the 10 miles 

 that Meares thought of going on again, but finally decided that 

 the present easy work is best. 



Things look hopeful. The weather is beautiful — temp. 

 — 12°, with a bright sun. Some stratus cloud about Discovery 

 and over White Island. The sastrugi about here are very vari- 

 ous in direction and the surface a good deal ploughed up, showing 

 that the Bluff influences the wind direction even out as far as 

 this camp. The surface is hard; I take it about as good as we 

 shall get. 



There is an annoying little southerly wind blowing now, and 

 this serves to show the beauty of our snow walls. The ponies 

 are standing under their lee in the bright sun as comfortable as 

 can possibly be. 



Friday, November 10. — Camp 7. A very horrid march. 

 A strong head wind during the first part — 5 miles (geo.) — then 

 a snowstorm. Wright leading found steering so difficult after 

 three miles (geo.) that the party decided to camp. Luckily 

 just before camping he rediscovered Evans' track (motor party) 

 so that, given decent weather, we shall be able to follow this. 

 The ponies did excellently as usual, but the surface is good dis- 

 tinctly. The wind has dropped and the weather is clearing now 

 that we have camped. It is disappointing to miss even i^^ 

 miles. 



Christopher was started to-day by a ruse. He was har- 

 nessed behind his wall and was in the sledge before he realised. 

 Then he tried to bolt, but Titus hung on. 



Saturday, November 11. — Camp 8. It cleared somewhat 

 just before the start of our march, but the snow which had fallen 

 in the day remained soft and flocculent on the surface. Added 



