io8 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[January 
are four layers of boarding to go on, two of which are 
nearing completion ; it will be some time before the rest 
and the insulation is on. 
It's a big job getting settled in like this and a tantalis- 
ing one when one is hoping to do some depot work before 
the season closes. 
We had a keen north wind to-night and a haze, but 
wind is dropping and sun shining brightly again. To-day 
seemed to be the hottest we have yet had ; after walking 
across I was perspiring freely, and later as I sat in the sun 
after lunch one could almost imagine a warm summer day 
in England. 
This is my first night ashore. I'm writing in one of 
my new domed tents, which makes a very comfortable 
apartment. 
Monday », January 9. — I didn't poke my nose out of my 
tent till 6.45, and the first object I saw was the ship, which 
had not previously been in sight from our camp. She 
was now working her way along the ice edge with some 
difficulty. I heard afterwards that she had started at 
6.15 and she reached the point I marked yesterday at 
8.15. After breakfast I went on board and was delighted 
to find a good solid road right up to the ship. A flag was 
hoisted immediately for the ponies to come out, and we 
commenced a good day's work. All day the sledges have 
been coming to and fro, but most of the pulling work has 
been done by the ponies : the track is so good that these 
little animals haul anything from 12 to 1 8 cwt. Both dogs 
and men parties have been a useful addition to the haul- 
age — no party or no single man comes over without a load 
