STILL IN THE ICE 
6S 
to clear in the middle watch ; now we have bright, cheer- 
ful, warm sunshine (temp, 28 0 ). The wind lulled in the 
middle watch and has fallen to force 2 to 3. We made 
ih miles in the middle and have added nearly a mile since. 
This movement has brought us amongst floes of decidedly 
smaller area and the pack has loosened considerably. A 
visit to the crow's nest shows great improvement in the 
conditions. There is ice on all sides, but a large percentage 
of the floes is quite thin and even the heavier ice appears 
breakable. It is only possible to be certain of conditions 
for three miles or so — the limit of observation from the 
crow's nest ; but as far as this limit there is no doubt 
the ship could work through with ease. Beyond there arc 
vague signs of open water in the southern sky. We have 
pushed and drifted south and west during the gale and arc 
now near the 180th meridian again. It seems impossible 
that we can be far from the southern limit of the pack. 
On strength of these observations we have decided to 
raise steam. I trust this effort will carry us through. 
The pony which fell last night has now been brought 
out into the open. The poor beast is in a miserable 
condition, very thin, very weak on the hind legs, and 
suffering from a most irritating skin affection which is 
causing its hair to fall out in great quantities. I think a 
day or so in the open will help matters ; one or two of the 
other ponies under the forecastle are also in poor condition, 
but none so bad as this one. Oates is unremitting in his 
attention and care of the animals, but I don't think he 
quite realises that whilst in the pack the ship must remain 
steady and that, therefore, a certain limited scope for 
vol. n f 
