i9zz] A PONY ACCIDENT 435 
in such a mixed community of thoroughly nice people, 
and the study of relationships and interactions is fascin- 
ating — men of the most diverse upbringing and experience 
are really pals with one another, and the subjects which 
would be delicate ground of discussion between acquaint- 
ances are just those which are most freely used for jest. 
For instance, the Soldier is never tired of girding at 
Australia, its people and institutions, and the Australians 
retaliate by attacking the hide-bound prejudices of the 
British army. I have never seen a temper lost in these 
discussions. So as I sit here I am very satisfied with 
these things. 1 think that it would have been difficult 
to better the organisation of the party — every man has 
his work and is especially adapted for it ; there is no 
gap and no overlap — it is all that I desired, and the same 
might be said of the men selected to do the work.' 
It promised to be very fine to-day, but the wind has 
already sprung up and clouds are gathering again. There 
was a very beautiful curved * banner ' cloud south of 
Erebus this morning, perhaps a warning of what is to 
come. 
Another accident ! At one o'clock 1 Snatcher,' one of 
the three ponies laying the depot, arrived with single trace 
and dangling sledge in a welter of sweat. Forty minutes 
after P.O. Evans, his driver, came in almost as hot ; simul- 
taneously Wilson arrived with Nobby and a tale of events 
not complete. He said that after the loads were removed 
Bowers had been holding the three ponies, who appeared 
to be quiet ; suddenly one had tossed his head and all 
three had stampeded — Snatcher making for home, Nobby 
2 F 2 
