I 4 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [December 
buckets which has now been kept going for four hours,* 
together with the dribble from the pump, has kept the 
water under — if anything there is a small decrease. 
Meanwhile we have been thinking of a way to get at 
the suction of the pump : a hole is being made in the 
engine-room bulkhead, the coal between this and the 
pump shaft will be removed, and a hole made in the shaft. 
With so much water coming on board, it is impossible to 
open the hatch over the shaft. We are not out of the 
wood, but hope dawns, as indeed it should for me, when 
I find myself so wonderfully served. Officers and men 
are singing chanties over their arduous work. Williams 
is working in sweltering heat behind the boiler to get the 
door made in the bulkhead. Not a single one has lost 
his good spirits. A dog was drowned last night, one pony 
is dead and two others in a bad condition — probably they 
too will go. ' Occasionally a heavy sea would bear one 
of them away, and he was only saved by his chain. 
Mcarcs with some helpers had constantly to be rescuing 
these wretched creatures from hanging, and trying to 
find them better shelter, an almost hopeless task. One 
poor beast was found hanging when dead ; one was 
washed away with such force that his chain broke and 
he disappeared overboard ; the next wave miraculously 
washed him onboard again and he is now fit and well.' 
The gale has exacted heavy toll, but I feel all will be 
well if we can only cope with the water. Another dog 
has just been washed overboard — alas ! Thank God, 
the gale is abating. The sea is still mountainously high, 
* It was continued a night and a day. 
