CLISSOLD'S ACCIDENT 291 



rived in fine order, Christopher a little done, but carrying the 

 heaviest load. 



If we can keep the telephone going it will be a great boon, 

 especially to Meares later in the season. 



The weather is extraordinarily unsettled; the last two days 

 have been fairly fine, but every now and again we get a burst 

 of wind with drift, and to-night it is overcast and very gloomy 

 in appearance. 



The photography craze is in full swing. Ponting's mastery 

 is ever more impressive, and his pupils improve day by day; 

 nearly all of us have produced good negatives. Debenham and 

 Wright are the most promising, but Taylor, Bowers and I are 

 also getting the hang of the tricky exposures. 



Saturday, October 7. As though to contradict the suggestion 

 of incompetence, friend ' Jehu ' pulled with a will this morning 

 he covered 3^2 miles without a stop, the surface being much 

 worse than it was two days ago. He was not at all distressed 

 when he stopped. If he goes on like this he comes into practical 

 politics again, and I am arranging to give 10-feet sledges to him 

 and Chinaman instead of 12-feet. Probably they will not do 

 much, but if they go on as at present we shall get something 

 out of them. 



Long and cheerful conversations with Hut Point and of 

 course an opportunity for the exchange of witticisms. We are 

 told it was blowing and drifting at Hut Point last night, whereas 

 here it was calm and snowing; the wind only reached us this 

 afternoon. 



Sunday, October 8. A very beautiful day. Everyone out 

 and about after Service, all ponies going well. Went to Pressure 

 Ridge with Ponting and took a number of photographs. 



So far good, but the afternoon has brought much worry. 

 About five a telephone message from Nelson's igloo reported 

 that Clissold had fallen from a berg and hurt his back. Bowers 

 organised a sledge party in three minutes, and fortunately Atkin- 

 son was on the spot and able to join it. I posted out over the 

 land and found Ponting much distressed and Clissold practically 

 insensible. At this moment the Hut Point ponies were approach- 

 ing and I ran over to intercept one in case of necessity. But 

 the man party was on the spot first, and after putting the patient 

 in a sleeping-bag, quickly brought him home to the hut. It 



