39 2 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[August 
the stable is built has been slowly but surely worn down, 
leaving gaps under the boarding. Through these gaps and 
our floor we get an unpleasantly strong stable effluvium, 
especially when the wind is strong. We are trying to stuff 
the holes up, but have not had much success so far, 
Saturday, August 26. — A dying wind and clear sky 
yesterday, and almost calm to-day. The noon sun is 
cut off by the long low foot slope of Erebus which runs to 
Cape Royds. Went up the Ramp at noon yesterday and 
found no advantage — one should go over the floe to get 
the earliest sight, and yesterday afternoon Evans caught a 
last glimpse of the upper limb from that situation, whilst 
Simpson saw the same from Wind Vane Hill. 
The ponies are very buckish and can scarcely be held 
in at exercise ; it seems certain that they feel the return 
of daylight. They were out in morning and afternoon 
yesterday. Oates and Anton took out Christopher and 
Snippets rather later. Both ponies broke away within 
50 yards of the stable and galloped away over the floe. 
It was nearly an hour before they could be rounded up. 
Such escapades are the result of high spirits ; there is no 
vice in the animals. 
We have had comparatively little aurora of late, but 
last night was an exception ; there was a good display 
at 3 a.m. 
p al i; — Just before lunch the sunshine could be 
seen gilding the floe, and Ponting and I walked out to 
the bergs. The nearest one has been overturned and is 
easily climbed. From the top we could see the sun clear 
over the rugged outline of C. Barne. It was glorious 
