i9i 0 A FOOTBALL KNEE 437 
I suppose such incidents as this were to be expected, 
one cannot have ponies very fresh and vigorous and 
expect them to behave like lambs, but I shall be glad 
when we are off and can know more definitely what 
resources we can count on. 
Another trying incident has occurred. We have 
avoided football this season especially to keep clear of 
accidents, but on Friday afternoon a match was got up for 
the cinematograph and Debenham developed a football 
knee (an old hurt, I have since learnt, or he should not 
have played). Wilson thinks it will be a week before he 
is fit to travel, so here we have the Western Party on our 
hands and wasting the precious hours for that period. The 
only single compensation is that it gives Fordc's hand a 
better chance. If this waiting were to continue it looks 
as though we should become a regular party of i crocks.' 
Clissold was out of the hut for the first time to-day ; he 
is better but still suffers in his back. 
The Start of the Motor Sledges 
Tuesday, October 24. — Two fine days for a wonder. 
Yesterday the motors seemed ready to start and we all 
went out on the floe to give them a ' send off.' But the 
inevitable little defects cropped up, and the machines 
only got as far as the Cape. A change made by Day in 
the exhaust arrangements had neglected the heating 
jackets of the carburetters ; one float valve was bent 
and one clutch troublesome. Day and Lashly spent the 
afternoon making good these defects in a satisfactory 
manner. 
