l6 4 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [February 
to-day. I shall be surprised if we pass outside all sign 
of them. 
One begins to see how things ought to be worked next 
year if the ponies hold out. Ponies and dogs are losing 
their snow blindness. 
Friday , February 10. — No. 9 Camp. 12 miles 200 yards. 
Cold march, very chilly wind, overcast sky, difficult to 
see surface or course. 
Noticed sledges, ponies, &c, cast shadows all round. 
Surface very good and animals did splendidly. 
We came over some undulations during the early part 
of the march, but the last part appeared quite flat. I think 
I remember observing the same fact on our former trip. 
The wind veers and backs from S. to W. and even to 
N., coming in gusts. The sastrugi arc distinctly S.S.W. 
There isn't a shadow of doubt that the prevailing wind is 
along the coast, taking the curve of the deep bay south 
of the Bluff. 
The question now is : Shall we by going due south- 
ward keep this hard surface ? If so, we should have little 
difficulty in reaching the Beardmore Glacier next year. 
We turn out of our sleeping-bags about 9 p.m. Some- 
where about 1 1.30 1 shout to the Soldier ' How are things ? 5 
There is a response suggesting readiness, and soon after 
figures are busy amongst sledges and ponies. It is chilling 
work for the fingers and not too warm for the feet. The 
rugs come off the animals, the harness is put on, tents 
and camp equipment are loaded on the sledges, nosebags 
filled for the next halt ; one by one the animals are taken 
