i 9 ii] PONIES AND THEIR WAYS 103 
that they are constantly fretful and the more nervous 
ones tend to become refractory and unmanageable. 
Oates is splendid with them — I do not know what we 
should do without him. 
I did seven journeys with ponies and got off with a 
bump on the head and some scratches. 
One pony got away from Debenham close to the ship, 
and galloped the whole way in with its load behind ; the 
load capsized just off the shore and the animal and sledge 
dashed into the station. Oates very wisely took this pony 
straight back for another load. 
Two or three ponies got away as they were being 
harnessed, and careered up the hill again. In fact there 
were quite a lot of minor incidents which seemed to en- 
danger life and limb to the animals if not the men, but 
which all ended safely. 
One of Meares' dog teams ran away — one poor dog 
got turned over at the start and couldn't get up again 
(Mukaka). He was dragged at a gallop for nearly half 
a mile ; I gave him up as dead, but apparently he was very 
little hurt. 
The ponies are certainly going to keep things lively 
as time goes on and they get fresher. Even as it is, their 
condition can't be half as bad as we imagined ; the run- 
away pony wasn't much done even after the extra trip. 
The station is beginning to assume the appearance of 
an orderly camp. We continue to find advantages in the 
situation ; the long level beach has enabled Bowers to 
arrange his stores in the most systematic manner. Every- 
thing will be handy and there will never be a doubt as 
