3i 8 WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD 



"On the 31st October the pony parties started. Two 

 weak ponies led by Atkinson and Keohane were sent off 

 first at 4.30, and I accompanied them for about a mile. 

 Keohane's pony rejoiced in the name of Jimmy Pigg, and 

 he stepped out much better than his fleeter-named mate 

 Jehu. We heard through the telephone of their safe 

 arrival at Hut Point. 



" Next morning the Southern Party finished their mail, 

 posting it in the packing case on Atkinson's bunk, and 

 then at 11 a.m. the last party were ready for the Pole. 

 They had packed the sledges overnight, and they took 

 20 lbs. personal baggage. The Owner had asked me what 

 book he should take. He wanted something fairly filling. 

 I recommended Tyndall's Glaciers — if he wouldn't find 

 it 'coolish.' He didn't fancy this ! So then I said, 'Why 

 not take Browning, as I'm doing?' And I believe that he 

 did so. 



"Wright's pony was the first harnessed to its sledge. 

 Chinaman is Jehu's rival for last place, and as some com- 

 pensation is easy to harness. Seaman Evans led Snatcher, 

 who used to rush ahead and take the lead as soon as he was 

 harnessed. Cherry had Michael, a steady goer, and Wil- 

 son led Nobby — the pony rescued from the killer whales 

 in March. Scott led out Snippets to the sledges, and har- 

 nessed him to the foremost, with little Anton's help — only 

 it turned out to be Bowers' sledge! However he trans- 

 ferred in a few minutes and marched off rapidly to the 

 south. Christopher, as usual, behaved like a demon. 

 First they had to trice his front leg up tight under his 

 shoulder, then it took five minutes to throw him. The 

 sledge was brought up and he was harnessed in while his 

 head was held down on the floe. Finally he rose up, still 

 on three legs, and started off galloping as well as he was 

 able. After several violent kicks his foreleg was released, 

 and after more watch-spring flicks with his hind legs he 

 set off fairly steadily. Titus can't stop him when once he 

 has started, and will have to do the fifteen miles in one lap 

 probably! 



"Dear old Titus — that was my last memory of him. 



