45 8 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [November 
Chinaman had a skittish little run. When their heads 
were loose Chinaman indulged in a playful buck. All three 
started with their loads at a brisk pace. It was a great 
relief to find that they had not suffered at all from the 
blizzard. They went out six geographical miles, and our 
section going at a good round pace found them encamped 
as usual. After they had gone, we waited for the rear- 
guard to come up and joined with them. For the next 
5 miles the bunch of seven kept together in fine style, and 
with wind dropping, sun gaining in power, and ponies 
going well, the march was a real pleasure. One gained 
confidence every moment in the animals ; they brought 
along their heavy loads without a hint of tiredness. All 
take the patches of soft snow with an easy stride, not 
bothering themselves at all. The majority halt now and 
again to get a mouthful of snow, but little Christopher 
goes through with a non-stop run. He gives as much 
trouble as ever at the start, showing all sorts of ingenious 
tricks to escape his harness. Yesterday when brought to 
his knees and held, he lay down, but this served no end, 
for before he jumped to his feet and dashed off the traces 
had been fixed and he was in for the 13 miles of steady 
work. Oates holds like grim death to his bridle until the 
first freshness is worn off, and this is no little time, for 
even after 10 miles he seized a slight opportunity to kick 
up. Some four miles from this camp P.O. Evans loosed 
Snatchcr momentarily. The little beast was off at a 
canter at once and on slippery snow ; it was all Evans 
could do to hold to the bridle. As it was he dashed 
across the line, somewhat to its danger. 
