2 7 o SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [May 
rock faces and screens, and held on only in anticipation 
of gaining the top of the Island and an easy descent. 
Instead of this I came to an impossible overhanging cliff 
of lava, and was forced to descend as I had come up. 
It was no easy task, and I was glad to get down with only 
one slip, when I brought myself up with my ice-axe 
in the nick of time to prevent a fall over a cliff. This 
Island is very steep on all sides. There is only one 
known place of ascent ; it will be interesting to try 
and find others. 
After tea Atkinson came in with the glad tidings that 
the dog team were returning from Hut Point. We were 
soon on the floe to welcome the last remnant of our 
wintering party. Meares reported everything well and 
the ponies not far behind. 
The dogs were unharnessed and tied up to the chains ; 
they are all looking remarkably fit— apparently they have 
given no trouble at all of late ; there have not even been 
any fights. 
Half an hour later Day, Lashly, Nelson, Forde, and 
Keohane arrived with the two ponies— men and animals 
in good form. 
It is a great comfort to have the men and dogs back, 
and a greater to contemplate all the ten ponies com- 
fortably stabled for the winter. Everything seems to 
depend on these animals. 
I have not seen the meteorological record brought 
back, but it appears that the party had had very 
fine calm weather since we left them, except during 
the last three days when wind has been very strong. It 
