NEW MULK C;KAR 
321 
had not as yet recovered from their trip to the Barrier 
in March. It was large and comparatively warm and 
much appreciated by the invalids. 
The exceptional weather with repeated blizzards of 
great force daring the whole of May kept both man and 
beast very much confined to the hut. This one felt more 
than the previous year, as besides being confined to the 
hutj when it was possible to get exercise we could only do 
so for a short distance on the Cape, whereas in the previous 
year tlie sea ice had extended for some 30 miles to tlie 
north of us. There was now open water to the south. 
Crean and Keohane had already started mending most 
of the sleeping-bags, which were in sad need of repair. 
Luckily the ship had left us with a good supply of reindeer 
skin and there was plenty to go round and fill up the bare 
patches in the sleeping-bags. 
The mule gear which had been supplied by the Indian 
Government showed the very greatest forethought in 
every detail. There were only very slight alterations to 
be made, more especially in the texture of the gear. The 
mules had been supplied with a form of canvas snow- 
goggles, for the ponies in the previous year had suffered 
badly from snow blindness. These goggles saved the 
mules from this amount of discomfort when they were 
on the Barrier. We also realised tliat owing to their 
small hoofs tliey would probably have to use snow-shoes. 
These had been supplied, and on trying tlie mules with 
them most of the animals after a very short time took 
to them quite naturally. 
Debenham had been given charge of all photographic 
VOL. II. y 
