I9io] 
A PONY'S MEMORY 
2 r 
Evans corroborated Chcctham's statement that there was 
a berg far away to the west, showing now and again 
as the sun burst through the clouds. 
Thursday, December 8. — 63 0 20'. 1 77 0 22'. S. 3 1 E. 138' ; 
to Circle 191'. The wind increased in the first watch last 
night to a moderate gale. The ship close hauled held 
within two points of her course. Topgallant sails and 
mainsail were furled, and later in the night the wind 
gradually crept ahead. At 6 a.m. we were obliged to furl 
everything, and throughout the day we have been plunging 
against a stiff breeze and moderate sea. This afternoon by 
keeping a little to eastward of the course, we have managed 
to get fore and aft sail filled. The barometer has continued 
its steady upward path for twenty-four hours ; it shows 
signs of turning, having reached within ^th of 30 inches. 
It was light throughout last night (always a cheerful 
condition), but this head wind is trying to the patience, 
more especially as our coal expenditure is more than I 
estimated. We manage 62 or 63 revolutions on about 
9 tons, but have to distil every three days at expense of 
half a ton, and then there is a weekly half-ton for the 
cook. It is certainly a case of fighting one's way South. 
I was much disturbed last night by the motion ; the 
ship was pitching and twisting with short sharp movements 
on a confused sea, and with every plunge my thoughts 
flew to our poor ponies. This afternoon they arc fairly 
well, but one knows that they must be getting weaker as 
time goes on, and one longs to give them a good sound 
rest with the ship on an even keel. Poor patient beasts ! 
One wonders how far the memory of such fearful discomfort 
