191 1] 
VARIOUS INVALIDS 
425 
with this and a good deal of anxiety about Clissold, the 
day terminates very unpleasantly. 
T uesday, October 10. — Still anxious about Clissold. 
He has passed two fairly good nights but is barely able to 
move. He is unnaturally irritable, but I am told this is 
a symptom of concussion. This morning he asked for 
food, which is a good sign, and he was anxious to know 
if his sledging gear was being got ready. In order not to 
disappoint him he was assured that all would be ready, 
but there is scarce a slender chance that he can fill his 
place in the programme. 
Mcares came from Hut Point yesterday at the front 
end of a blizzard. Half an hour after his arrival it was 
as thick as a hedge. He reports another loss — Deek, 
one of the best pulling dogs, developed the same symptoms 
which have so unaccountably robbed us before, spent a 
night in pain, and died in the morning. Wilson thinks 
the cause is a worm which gets into the blood and thence 
to the brain. It is trying, but I am past despondency. 
Things must take their course. 
Forde's fingers improve, but not very rapidly ; it is 
hard to have two sick men after all the care which has 
been taken. 
The weather is very poor — I had hoped for better 
things this month. So far we have had more days with 
wind and drift than without. It interferes badly with 
the ponies' exercise. 
Friday, October 13. — The past three days have seen a 
marked improvement in both our invalids. Clissold's 
inside has been got into working order after a good deal 
