140 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[January 
the ponies whilst Campbell went to investigate a broad 
crack in the sea ice on the Southern Road. The ponies 
were got on to the Tongue without much difficulty, then 
across the glacier, and picketed on the sea ice close to 
the ship. Meanwhile Campbell informed me that the big 
crack was 30 feet across : it was evident we must get past 
it on the glacier, and I asked Campbell to peg out a road 
clear of cracks. Oates reported the ponies ready to start 
again after tea, and they were led along Campbell's road, 
their loads having already been taken on the floe — all 
went well until the animals got down on the floe level and 
Oates led across an old snowed-up crack. His and the 
next pony got across, but the third made a jump at the 
edge and sank to its stomach in the middle. It couldn't 
move, and with such struggles as it made it sank deeper 
till only its head and forelegs showed above the slush. 
With some trouble we got ropes on these, and hauling 
together pulled the poor creature out looking very weak 
and miserable and trembling much. 
We led the other ponies round farther to the west and 
eventually got all out on the floe, gave them a small feed, 
and started them off with their loads. The dogs meanwhile 
gave some excitement. Starting on hard ice with a light 
load nothing could hold them, and they dashed off over 
everything— it seemed wonderful that we all reached 
the floe in safety. Wilson and I drive one team, whilst E. 
Evans and Meares drive the other. I withhold my opinion 
of the dogs, in much doubt as to whether they are going 
to be a real success— but the ponies arc going to be real 
good. They work with such extraordinary steadiness, 
