THE ROSS SEA PARTY 
liad got tlie second load up we had lunch. Then we dug round 
the poles, while snow fell, and after gettmg down about three feet 
we came across, first, a bag of oats, lower down two cases of 
dog-biscuit — one with a complete week's ration, the other with 
seal-meat. A good find. About forty paces away we foimd a 
venesta-lid sticking out of the snow. Smith scraped round 
this with his ice-axe and presently discovered one of the motor- 
sledges Captain Scott used. Everything was just as it had 
been left, the petrol-tank partly filled and apparently unde- 
teriorated. We marked the spot with a pole. The snow 
clearing, we proceeded with a relay. We got only half a mile, 
still struggling in deep snow, and then went back for the second 
load. We can still see the cairn erected at the Barrier edge 
and a black spot which we take to be the dog. 
February \. — We turned out at 7.30 p.m., and after a meal 
broke camp. We made a relay of two and a half miles. The 
sledge-meter stopped during this relay. Perhaps that is the 
cause of our mileage not showing. We covered seven and a 
half miles in order to bring the load two and a half miles. After 
lunch we decided, as the surface was getting better, to make a 
shot at travelling with the whole load. It was a back-breaking 
job. Wild led the team, while Smith and I pulled in harness. 
The great trouble is to get the sledge started after the many 
unavoidable stops. We managed to cover one mile. This even 
is better than relaying. We then camped — ^the dogs being 
entirely done up, poor brutes. 
" February 2. — We were awakened this afternoon, while in 
our bags, by hearing Joyce's dogs barking. They have done 
well and have caught us up. Joyce's voice was heard presently, 
asking us the time. He is managing the full load. We issued 
a challenge to race him to the Bluff, which he accepted. When 
we turned out at 6.30 p.m. his camp was seen about three miles 
ahead. About 8 p.m., after our hoosh, we made a start, and 
reached Joyce's camp at 1 a.m. The dogs had been pulling 
well, seeing the camp ahead, but when we arrived off it they 
were not inclined to go on. After a little persuasion and 
struggle we got off, but not for long. This starting business 
is terrible work. We have to shake the sledge and its big 
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