102 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 
Saturday, January 7. — The sun has returned. To-day- 
it seemed better than ever and the glare was blinding. 
There are quite a number of cases of snow blindness. 
We have done splendidly. To-night all the provi- 
sions except some in bottles are ashore and nearly all the 
working paraphernalia of the scientific people — no light 
item. There remains some hut furniture, z\ tons of 
carbide, some bottled stuff, and some odds and ends 
which should occupy only part of to-morrow ; then we 
come to the two last and heaviest items — coal and horse 
fodder. 
If we are not through in the week we shall be very 
near it. Meanwhile the ship is able to lay at the ice edge 
without steam ; a splendid saving. 
There has been a steady stream of cases passing along 
the shore route all day and transport arrangements are 
hourly improving. 
Two parties of four and three officers made ten journeys 
each, covering over 25 miles and dragging loads one way 
which averaged 250 to 300 lbs. per man. 
The ponies are working well now, but beginning to give 
some excitement. On the whole they are fairly quiet 
beasts, but they get restive with their loads, mainly but 
indirectly owing to the smoothness of the ice. They know 
perfectly well that the swingle trees and traces are hanging 
about their hocks and hate it. (I imagine it gives them the 
nervous feeling that they are going to be carried off their 
feet.) This makes it hard to start them, and when going 
they seem to appreciate the fact that the sledges will over- 
run them should they hesitate or stop. The result is 
