324 



SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 



[November 



justifies the provision which we have made for the Summit work. 

 Even on that I have little doubt we shall soon get hungry. Day 

 looks very thin, almost gaunt, but fit. The weather is beautiful 

 long may it so continue. (Temp. + 6, n A.M.) 



It is decided to take on the Motor Party in advance for three 

 days, then Day and Hooper return. We hope Jehu will last 

 three days; he will then be finished in any case and fed to the 

 dogs. It is amusing to see Meares looking eagerly for the 

 chance of a feed for his animals; he has been expecting it daily. 

 On the other hand, Atkinson and Oates are eager to get the poor 

 animal beyond the point at which Shackleton killed his first 

 beast. Reports on Chinaman are very favourable, and it really 

 looks as though the ponies are going to do what is hoped of 

 them. 



Wednesday, November 22. Camp 18. Everything much 

 the same. The ponies thinner but not much weaker. The crocks 

 still going along. Jehu is now called ' The Barrier Wonder " and 

 Chinaman ' The Thunderbolt.' Two days more and they will 

 be well past the spot at which Shackleton killed his first animal. 

 Nobby keeps his pre-eminence of condition and has now the 

 heaviest load by some 50 lbs.; most of the others are under 

 500 lbs. load, and I hope will be eased further yet. The dogs 

 are in good form still, and came up well with their loads this 

 morning (night temp. 1-4). It looks as though we ought to 

 get through to the Glacier without great difficulty. The weather 

 is glorious and the ponies can make the most of their rest dur- 

 ing the warmest hours, but they certainly lose in one way by 

 marching at night. The surface is much easier for the sledges 

 when the sun is warm, and for about three hours before and 

 after midnight the friction noticeably increases. It is just a 

 question whether this extra weight on the loads is compensated 

 by the resting temperature. We are quite steady on the march 

 now, and though not fast yet get through with few stops. The 

 animals seem to be getting accustomed to the steady, heavy plod 

 and take the deep places less fussily. There is rather an in- 

 creased condition of false crust, that is, a crust which appears 

 firm till the whole weight of the animal is put upon it, when 

 it suddenly gives some three or four inches. This is very trying 

 for the poor beasts. There are also more patches in which the 

 men sink, so that walking is getting more troublesome, but, 



