230 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[April 
and the many grounded bergs which were scattered 
off it. 
To my surprise the fast ice extended past the Cape and 
we were able to round it into the North Bay. Here we 
saw the weather screen on Wind Vane Hill, and a moment 
later turned a small headland and brought the hut in full 
view. It was intact — stables, outhouses and all ; evidently 
the sea had left it undisturbed. I breathed a huge sigh 
of relief. We watched two figures at work near the stables 
and wondered when they would sec us. In a moment or 
two they did so, and fled inside the hut to carry the news 
of our arrival. Three minutes later all nine occupants * 
were streaming over the floe towards us with shouts of 
welcome. There were eager inquiries as to mutual welfare 
and it took but a minute to learn the most important events 
of the quiet station life which had been led since our 
departure. These under the circumstances might well be 
considered the deaths of one pony and one dog. The 
pony was that which had been nicknamed Hackcnschmidt 
from his vicious habit of using both fore and hind legs in 
attacking those who came near him. He had been 
obviously of different breed from the other ponies, being of 
lighter and handsomer shape, suggestive of a strain of Arab 
blood. From no cause which could be discovered either 
by the symptoms of his illness or the post-mortem held by 
Nelson could a reason be found for his death. In spite of 
the best feeding and every care he had gradually sickened 
until he was too weak to stand, and in this condition 
* Viz. Simpson, Nelson, Day, Pouting, Lashly, Clissold, Hooper, 
Anton, and Dcmctri. 
