146 WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD 
them, pitched the two tents half a mile farther in, for bits 
of the Barrier were continually calving. While supper (it 
was about 3 a.M.) was being cooked, Scott and I walked 
down again. The wind had gone to the east, and all the 
ice was under weigh. A lane 70 feet wide extended along 
the Barrier edge, and Killers were chasing up and down it 
like racehorses. Our three unfortunate beasts were some 
way out, sailing parallel to the Barrier. We returned, and 
if ever one could feel miserable I did then. My feelings 
were nothing to what poor Captain Scott had had to en- 
dure that day. I at once broached the hopeful side of the 
subject, remarking that, with the two Campbell had left, 
we had ten ponies at Winter quarters. He said, how- 
ever, that he had no confidence whatever in the motors 
after the way their rollers had become messed up unloading 
the ship. He had had his confidence in the dogs much 
shaken on the return journey, and now he had lost the most 
solid asset—the best of his pony transport. He said: ‘Of 
course we shall have a run for our money next season, but 
as far as the Pole is concerned I have but very little hope.’ 
We had a mournful meal, but after the others turned in I 
went down again, and by striking across diagonally came 
abreast of the ponies’ floe, over a mile away. They were 
moving west fast, but they saw me, and remained huddled 
together not the least disturbed, or doubting that we would 
bring them their breakfast nosebags as usual in the morn- 
ing. Poor trustful creatures! If I could have done it then, 
I would gladly have killed them rather than picture them 
starving on that floe out on the Ross Sea, or eaten by the 
exultant Killers that cruised around. 
“‘ After breakfast Captain Scott sent me to bring up the ~ 
sledges. It was dead calm again. Hope always springs, so 
I took his pair of glasses and looked west from the Barrier 
edge. Nearly all the ice had gone, but a medley of floes | 
had been hurled up against a long point of Barrier much 
farther west. To my delight I saw three green specks on 
one of these—the pony rugs—and all four of us legged it 
back to the tent to tell Captain Scott. We were soon off 
over the Barrier. It was a long way, but we had a tent and 
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