326 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [June 
having put their shoulders to the wheel and given mc this 
confidence. 
We drank to the Success of the Expedition. 
Then everyone was called on to speak, starting on my 
left and working round the table ; the result was very 
characteristic of the various individuals — one seemed to 
know so well the style of utterance to which each would 
commit himself. 
Needless to say, all were entirely modest and brief ; 
unexpectedly, all had exceedingly kind things to say of 
me — in fact I was obliged to request the omission of 
compliments at an early stage. Nevertheless it was 
gratifying to have a really genuine recognition of my 
attitude towards the scientific workers of the Expedi- 
tion, and I felt very warmly towards all these kind, 
good fellows for expressing it. 
If good will and happy fellowship count towards success, 
very surely shall we deserve to succeed. It was matter 
for comment, much applauded, that there had not been 
a single disagreement between any two members of our 
party from the beginning. By the end of dinner a very 
cheerful spirit prevailed, and the room was cleared for 
Ponting and his lantern, whilst the gramophone gave 
forth its most lively airs. 
When the table was upended, its legs removed, and 
chairs arranged in rows, we had quite a roomy lecture hall. 
Ponting had cleverly chosen this opportunity to display 
a series of slides made from his own local negatives. I 
have never so fully realised his work as on seeing these 
beautiful pictures ; they so easily outclass anything of 
