n6 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[January 
Thursday, January 12. — Bright sun again all day, but 
in the afternoon a chill wind from the S.S.W. Again we 
are reminded of the shelter afforded by our position ; 
to-night the anemometers on Observation Hill show a 
20-mile wind — down in our valley we only have mild puffs. 
Sledging began as usual this morning ; seven ponies 
and the dog teams were hard at it all the forenoon. I ran 
six journeys with five dogs, driving them in the Siberian 
fashion for the first time. It was not difficult, but I kept 
forgetting the Russian words at critical moments : 1 Ki' — 
< right ' ; ' Tchui '— ' left 9 ; 1 Itah < right ahead ' ; 
[here is a blank in memory and in Diary] — * get along 9 ; 
< Paw ' — ' stop.' Even my short experience makes me think 
that we may have to reorganise this driving to suit our 
particular requirements. I am inclined for smaller teams 
and the driver behind the sledge. However, it's early 
days to decide such matters, and we shall learn much on 
the depot journey. 
Early in the afternoon a message came from the ship to 
say that all stores had been landed. Nothing remains 
to be brought but mutton, books and pictures, and the 
pianola. So at last we really are a self-contained party 
ready for all emergencies. We are landed eight days 
after our arrival — a very good record. 
The hut could be inhabited at this moment, but 
probably we shall not begin to live in it for a week. 
Meanwhile the carpenter will go on steadily fitting 
up the dark room and various other compartments as 
well as Simpson's Corner.* 
* Here were the meteorological instruments. 
