DEPOT PLANS 
149 
Called the camp at 7.30. Finally left with ponies at 
1 1.30. There was a good deal to do, which partly accounts 
for delays, but we shall have to f buck up ' with our camp 
arrangement. Atkinson had his foot lanced and should 
be well in a couple of days. 
I led the lame pony ; his leg is not swelled, but I fear 
he's developed a permanent defect — there arc signs of 
ringbone and the hoof is split. 
A great shock came when we passed the deputed fodder 
and made for this camp. The ponies sank very deep and 
only brought on their loads with difficulty, getting pretty 
hot. The distance was but lh miles, but it took more 
out of them than the rest of the march. We camped and 
held a council of war after lunch. I unfolded my plan, 
which is to go forward with five weeks' food for men and 
animals : to depot a fortnight's supply after twelve or 
thirteen days and return here. The loads for ponies 
thus arranged work out a little over 600 lbs., for the dog 
teams 700 lbs., both apart from sledges. The ponies 
ought to do it easily if the surface is good enough for 
them to walk, which is doubtful — the dogs may have to 
be lightened; such as it is, it is the best wc can do 
under the circumstances ! 
This afternoon I went forward on ski to see if the 
conditions changed. In 2 or 3 miles I could sec no 
improvement. 
Bowers, Garrard, and the three men went and dug out 
the Nimrod tent. They found a cooker and provisions 
and remains of a hastily abandoned meal. One tent was 
half full of hard ice, the result of thaw. The Willcsdcn 
