112 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 
there will be a quilting, a felt layer, a second boarding, and 
finally linoleum ; as the plenteous volcanic sand can be 
piled well up on every side it is impossible to imagine that 
draughts can penetrate into the hut from beneath, and it 
is equally impossible to imagine great loss of heat by contact 
or radiation in that direction. To add to the wall insula- 
tion the south and east sides of the hut are piled high 
with compressed-forage bales, whilst the north side is being 
prepared as a winter stable for the ponies. The stable 
will stand between the wall of the hut and a wall built of 
forage bales, six bales high and two bales thick. This 
will be roofed with rafters and tarpaulin, as we cannot find 
enough boarding. We shall have to take care that too 
much snow docs not collect on the roof, otherwise the place 
should do excellently well. 
Some of the ponies are very troublesome, but all except 
two have been running to-day, and until this evening there 
were no excitements. After tea Oates suggested leading 
out the two intractable animals behind other sledges ; 
at the same time he brought out the strong, nervous grey 
pony. I led one of the supposedly safe ponies, and all 
went well whilst we made our journey ; three loads were 
safely brought in. But whilst one of the sledges was 
being unpacked the pony tied to it suddenly got scared. 
Away he dashed with sledge attached ; he made straight 
for the other ponies, but finding the incubus still fast to him 
he went in wider circles, galloped over hills and boulders, 
narrowly missing Ponting and his camera, and finally 
dashed down hill to camp again pretty exhausted — oddly 
enough, neither sledge nor pony was much damaged. Then 
