CHAPTER VI 
ADVENTURE AND PERIL 
Saturday, February 18. — Camp 12. North 22 miles 1996 
yards. I scattered some oats 50 yards east of depot.* 
The minimum thermometer showed -16 0 when we left 
camp : inform Simpson ! 
The ponies started off well, Gran leading my pony with 
Weary Willy behind, the Soldier leading his with Cherry's 
behind, and Bowers steering course as before with a light 
slcdgc.f 
We started half an hour later, soon overtook the ponies, 
and luckily picked up a small bag of oats which they had 
dropped. We went on for ioj miles and stopped for lunch. 
After lunch to our astonishment the ponies appeared, 
going strong. They were making for a camp some miles 
farther on, and meant to remain there. I'm very glad to 
have seen them making the pace so well. They don't 
propose to stop for lunch at all but to march right through 
* This was done in order to measure on the next visit the results 
of wind and snow. 
j Scott, Wilson, Means and Cherry-Garrard now went back swiftly 
with the dog teams, to look after the return parties at Safety Camp. 
Having found all satisfactory, Scott left Wilson and Meares there 
with the dogs, and marched back with the rest to Corner Camp, taking 
more stores to the depot and hoping to meet Bowers' rearguard party. 
