i9] AFTER THE BLIZZARD 113 



pony that did so badly in the ship. To-day it is very fine and 

 bright. We are giving a good deal of extra food to the animals, 

 and my hope is that they will soon pick up again but they 

 cannot stand more blizzards in their present state. I'm afraid 

 we shall not get very far, but at all hazards we must keep the 

 greater number of the ponies alive. The dogs are in fine form 

 the blizzard has only been a pleasant rest for them. 



Memo. Left No. 7 Camp. 2 bales of fodder. 



Thursday, February 9. No. 8 Camp. Made good 1 1 miles. 

 Good night march; surface excellent, but we are carrying very 

 light loads with the exception of one or two ponies. Forde's 

 poor ' Misery ' is improving slightly. It is very keen on its 

 feed. Its fate is much in doubt. Keohane's ' Jimmy Pigg ' is 

 less lame than yesterday. In fact there is a general buck up all 

 round. 



It was a coldish march with light head wind and temperature 

 5 or 6 below zero, but it was warm in the sun all yesterday 

 and promises to be warm again to-day. If such weather would 

 hold there would be nothing to fear for the ponies. We have 

 come to the conclusion that the principal cause of their discom- 

 fort is the comparative thinness of their coats. 



We get the well-remembered glorious views of the Western 

 Mountains, but now very distant. No crevasses to-day. I shall 

 be surprised if we pass outside all sign of them. 



One begins to see how things ought to be worked next year 

 if the ponies hold out. Ponies and dogs are losing their snow 

 blindness. 



Friday, February 10. No. 9 Camp. 12 miles 200 yards. 

 Cold march, very chilly wind, overcast sky, difficult to see 

 surface or course. 



Noticed sledges, ponies, &c, cast shadows all round. 



Surface very good and animals did splendidly. 



We came over some undulations during the early part of 

 the march, but the last part appeared quite flat. I think I re- 

 member observing the same fact on our former trip. 



The wind veers and backs from S. to W. and even to N., 

 coming in gusts. The sastrugi are distinctly S.S.W. There 

 isn't a shadow of doubt that the prevailing wind is along the 

 coast, taking the curve of the deep bay south of the Bluff. 



The question now is : Shall we by going due southward keep 



VOL. 18 



