i9"l SOME PERSONAL SKETCHES 297 



either on Thursday or Friday; they were very fresh yesterday 

 and to-day in consequence. When unexercised, their allowance 

 of oats has to be cut down. This is annoying, as just at present 

 they ought to be doing a moderate amount of work and getting 

 into condition on full rations. 



The temperature is up to zero about; this probably means 

 about - 20 on the Barrier. I wonder how the motors will face 

 the drop if and when they encounter it. Day and Lashly are 

 both hopeful of the machines, and they really ought to do some- 

 thing after all the trouble that has been taken. 



The wretched state of the weather has prevented the trans- 

 port of emergency stores to Hut Point. These stores are for 

 the returning depots and to provision the Discovery hut in case 

 the Terra Nova does not arrive. The most important stores 

 have been taken to the Glacier Tongue by the ponies to-day. 



In the transport department, in spite of all the care I have 

 taken to make the details of my plan clear by lucid explanation, 

 I find that Bowers is the only man on whom I can thoroughly 

 rely to carry out the work without mistake, with its arrays of 

 figures. For the practical consistent work of pony training 

 Oates is especially capable, and his heart is very much in the 

 business. 



1 October, 191 1. I don't know what to think of Amundsen's 

 chances. If he gets to the Pole, it must be before we do, as he 

 is bound to travel fast with dogs and pretty certain to start early. 

 On this account I decided at a very early date to act exactly 

 as I should have done had he not existed. Any attempt to race 

 must have wrecked my plan, besides which it doesn't appear the 

 sort of thing one is out for. 



1 Possibly you will have heard something before this reaches 

 you. Oh! and there are all sorts of possibilities. In any case 

 you can rely on my not doing or saying anything foolish only 

 I'm afraid you must be prepared for the chance of finding our 

 venture much belittled. 



' After all, it is the work that counts, not the applause that 

 follows. 



1 Words must always fail me when I talk of Bill Wilson. I 

 believe he really is the finest character I ever met the closer 

 one gets to him the more there is to admire. Every quality is 

 so solid and dependable; cannot you imagine how that counts 



