I9I2] 
A FIRE : THE MULES' CONDITION 
335 
During the worst time the funnel for nearly half its 
length was red-hot and glowing, and the heat inside the 
hut was very uncomfortable. 
On the 6th, with the idea of giving the members exercise, 
Nelson, Gran, Crean, and Archer started for Cape Royds 
over the Barne Glacier. Gran made a complete list of all 
the stores at Shackleton's quarters and the party returned 
on the following day. 
The exercise of the mules was now carried on over a 
longer period, sledges were made up and they were 
harnessed in and drew their loads on alternate days. The 
only mule that gave us any serious trouble was Gulab ; 
but Williamson throughout was most tactful and pains- 
taking with this mule, who proved eventually to be the 
best beast that we had. Pyaree's capped knee started 
now to give us a great deal of anxiety, and up to the last 
week in October before she started we thought that she 
would be unable to go. As it was, she went on to the 
Barrier with a stiff foreleg, but she worked splendidly as 
the strain wore off and proved to be the second best mule 
of the lot. 
Owing to the uncertain condition of the ice it was 
essential to remove as many stores as possible to Hut 
Point. On September i8 to 22, a party went there 
with dog teams, taking down a load of stores and with the 
idea of putting the hut in order. The hut had nearly 
been buried by the inclement season, but after a great 
deal of digging had been done it was made more habitable. 
The hut at Cape Evans had been very much snowed up 
by this bad season and our roof in one part began to sag 
