i9] RESTIVE PONIES 77 



layer of our excellent quilted seaweed insulation between each 

 pair of boardings. The roof has a single matchboarding inside, 

 but on the outside is a matchboarding, then a layer of 2-ply 

 1 ruberoid,' then a layer of quilted seaweed, then a second match- 

 boarding, and finally a cover of 3-ply ruberoid.' The first floor 

 is laid, but over this there will be a quilting, a felt layer, a second 

 boarding, and finally linoleum; as the plenteous volcanic sand 

 can be piled well up on every side it is impossible to imagine that 

 draughts can penetrate into the hut from beneath, and it is 

 equally impossible to imagine great loss of heat by contact or 

 radiation in that direction. To add to the wall insulation the 

 south and east sides of the hut are piled high with compressed 

 forage bales, whilst the north side is being prepared as a winter 

 stable for the ponies. The stable will stand between the wall of 

 the hut and a wall built of forage bales, six bales high and two 

 bales thick. This will be roofed with rafters and tarpaulin, as 

 we cannot find enough boarding. We shall have to take care 

 that too much snow does not collect on the roof, otherwise the 

 place should do excellently well. 



Some of the ponies are very troublesome, but all except two 

 have been running to-day, and until this evening there were no 

 excitements. After tea Oates suggested leading out the two 

 intractable animals behind other sledges; at the same time he 

 brought out the strong, nervous grey pony. I led one of the 

 supposedly safe ponies, and all went well whilst we made our 

 journey; three loads were safely brought in. But whilst one 

 of the sledges was being unpacked the pony tied to it suddenly 

 got scared. Away he dashed with sledge attached; he made 

 straight for the other ponies, but finding the incubus still fast 

 to him he went in wider circles, galloped over hills and boulders, 

 narrowly missing Ponting and his camera, and finally dashed 

 down hill to camp again pretty exhausted oddly enough neither 

 sledge nor pony was much damaged. Then we departed again 

 in the same order. Half-way over the floe my rear pony got 

 his foreleg foul of his halter, then got frightened, tugged at his 

 halter, and lifted the unladen sledge to which he was tied 

 then the halter broke and away he went. But by this time the 

 damage was done. My pony snorted wildly and sprang for- 

 ward as the sledge banged to the ground. I just managed to 

 hold him till Oates came up, then we started again; but he 



