The Journal of a Sporting Nomad 
with him two Norwegian ponies. These had been 
fitted with leather shoes similar to those used 
in England on horses’ feet when drawing a 
mowing-machine on our lawns, but larger in the 
tread, to prevent the ponies’ feet from sinking 
in the deep snow. These ponies were for the 
purpose of drawing sleighs on which were packed 
the stores for the trip. When it came to deciding 
who was to accompany the expedition it was 
considered that with the means of transport at 
hand some of the party had to be left behind. 
(See Sir Martin Conway’s book on his expedi- 
tion.) Trevor Battye and I therefore remained 
in charge of the camp at the base, where we 
amused ourselves by collecting various plants, 
bird skins, etc. One day we discovered a small 
coal seam, some of which we used daily in our 
fireplace. It was of very poor quality, soft and 
very smoky, a kind of lignite, but it answered 
admirably for our cooking necessities. I believe 
since our discovery a small company was formed 
for the purpose of working this coal, but I am 
not aware with what results. 
The sea-birds, such as guillemots, little auks, 
etc., come in millions to these islands to breed ; 
they can be seen flying backwards and forwards 
throughout the day and night between the sea 
and their nests, often with a small fish in 
their mouths. Battye and I found on one occa- 
sion a pink-footed goose’s nest in which were 
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