ton] PONY SNOW SHOES 151 
out, but I feel that the prospect of this is not very bright. 
In any case it is something to have discovered the possi- 
bilities of these shoes. 
Low temperature at night for first time. Min. 2*4°. 
Quite warm in tent. 
Wednesday, February 1. — Camp 3. A day of com- 
parative inactivity and some disappointment. Mearcs 
and Wilson returned at noon, reporting the ice out beyond 
the Razor Back Island — no return to Cape Evans — no 
pony snow-shoes — alas ! I have decided to make a start 
to-morrow without them. Late to-night Atkinson's foot 
was examined : it is bad and there's no possibility of its 
getting right for some days. He must be left behind — 
I've decided to leave Crean with him. Most luckily we 
now have an extra tent and cooker. How the ponies arc 
to be led is very doubtful. Well, we must do the best 
that circumstances permit. Poor Atkinson is in very 
low spirits. 
I sent Gran to the Discovery hut with our last mail. 
He went on ski and was nearly 4 hours away, making 
me rather anxious, as the wind had sprung up and there 
was a strong surface-drift ; he narrowly missed the camp 
on returning and I am glad to get him back. 
Our food allowance seems to be very ample, and if we 
go on as at present we shall thrive amazingly. 
Thursday, February 2. — Camp 4. Made a start at 
last. Roused out at 7, left camp about 10.30. Atkinson 
and Crean remained behind — very hard on the latter. 
Atkinson suffering much pain and mental distress at his 
condition — for the latter I fear I cannot have much 
