444 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [October 
sense to have this done. As things are I am satisfied we 
have the right men to deal with the difficulties of the 
situation. 
The motor programme is not of vital importance to 
our plan and it is possible the machines will do little to 
help us, but already they have vindicated themselves. 
Even the seamen, who have remained very sceptical of 
them, have been profoundly impressed. Evans said, 
' Lord, sir, I reckon if them things can go on like that 
you wouldn't want nothing else ' — but like everything 
else of a novel nature, it is the actual sight of them at 
work that is impressive, and nothing short of a hundred 
miles over the Barrier will carry conviction to outsiders. 
Parting with the motors, we made haste back to Hut 
Point and had tea there. My feet had got very sore 
with the unaccustomed soft foot-gear and crinkly surface, 
but we decided to get back to Cape Evans. We came along 
in splendid weather, and after stopping for a cup of tea 
at Razor Back, reached the hut at 9 p.m., averaging 3^ 
stat. miles an hour. During the day we walked 26k stat. 
miles, not a bad day's work considering condition, but 
I'm afraid my feet are going to suffer for it. 
Saturday, October 28. — My feet sore and one * tendon 
Achillis ' strained (synovitis) ; shall be right in a day or 
so, however. Last night tremendous row in the stables. 
Christopher and Chinaman discovered fighting. Gran 
nearly got kicked. These ponies are getting above 
themselves with their high feeding. Oates says that 
Snippets is still lame and has one leg a little ' heated ' ; 
not a pleasant item of news. Debcnham is progressing, 
