igii] 
MULES EXERCISED ON DECK 
375 
After once getting in the pack until they were landed, 
the mules were exercised at least twice, generally three 
Dec. zq and tiuics, a wcck. They were walked round and 
30,1911,66°^ round the main hatch and nearly all of them 
40 o., 177 
48' w. used to take the opportunity to roll, which 
they greatly appreciated. With the numerous ring bolts, 
combing of the main hatch, and other obstructions, there 
was a certain amount of risk; fortunately there was no 
accident and the benefit they derived from being moved 
about justified the risk being taken. 
The deck was always well covered with ashes, which 
were kept for the purpose instead of being thrown over- 
board when sent up from the boiler-room. Two or three of 
the mules were inclined to jump about a bit ; Lai Khan, 
in particular, enjoying his outings a little too much, but 
Bruce always took charge of him and managed to keep 
him well under control. 
Every day after leaving New Zealand the dogs were 
given a run round the upper deck, and whenever the 
ship was stopped in the ice they were exercised on a floe, 
which afforded plenty of excitement to the men as well 
as to the dogs. 
Being held up in the pack always gives a good oppor- 
tunity for work of different sorts to be done. Lillie has 
his plankton nets over, trying different depths ; Rennick 
always sounds ; and, if the sun comes out, observations 
for variation are taken with the landing compass on a floe 
outside the range of disturbance of the ship's iron ; and, 
if a floe with ice that has not been splashed with salt 
water is near enough, the ship is watered, as there is no 
