i9l SECOND WINTER AT CAPE EVANS 217 



realised that for the sake of everyone concerned the routine 

 followed in the previous year must be continued in this as far 

 as possible. It was a necessity for us to keep up our work and 

 interests and exercise, so as to avoid slackness and depression 

 and to keep fit and useful through the dark months. The North 

 Bay had only frozen to within half a mile of the hut and had 

 been continually freezing and blowing out. 



The seven mules, which had been given by the Indian Gov- 

 ernment to Captain Scott to enable him to carry on further ex- 

 ploration in the second year, were in excellent condition. Lashly 

 had received certain instructions from Captain Gates when 

 Evans' party left them on the Plateau at 87 37'. He had been 

 in entire charge of the mules and continued so throughout the 

 winter. Their condition throughout was splendid and spoke vol- 

 umes for the care with which he looked after them. These mules 

 were suggested to Captain Scott by Captain Gates, and they justi- 

 fied his hopes in every way. The mules had been exercised regu- 

 larly whenever the weather permitted, and already the seven 

 leaders had adopted their four-footed charges. The ship had 

 also brought down fourteen new dogs. Three of these died soon 

 after landing, and eventually only four of them proved to be of 

 any use for sledging. A litter of pups had been added, but these 

 died owing to their mother leaving them. 



Debenham had been doing the meteorological work and Nel- 

 son, who was in charge, had carried out the magnetic observa- 

 tions. Crean was in charge of the sledges and sledging gear and 

 Williamson had charge of the sewing-machine, with Keohane to 

 help Crean and Williamson. We early appreciated the efforts 

 of a really good cook in Mr. Archer, who had been landed for 

 this second year. Besides being a good cook he proved a good 

 companion and was always lively and cheerful. Lieutenant Gran 

 took charge of the stores and also of the four hourly meteoro- 

 logical observations. He proved a most efficient stores officer 

 and in his observations was continually trying to break previous 

 records, which he was very often able to do in this exceptional 

 season. Cherry-Garrard was again our editor for the South 

 Polar Times and took over the care and preparation of all the 

 ornithological and zoological specimens obtained. Hooper, the 

 steward, took over the management of the acetylene plant, 

 thereby relieving some one else of a very thankless task. 



