460 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[NOVEMKEK 
for 7 miles to escape a cold little night breeze which 
quickly dropped. He was some time at his lunch camp, 
so that starting to join the rearguard we came in together 
the last 2 miles. The experience showed that the slow 
advance guard ponies are forced out of their pace by 
joining with the others, whilst the fast rearguard is 
reduced in speed. Obviously it is not an advantage to be 
together, yet all the ponies are doing well. An amusing 
incident happened when Wright left his pony to examine 
his slcdgcmctcr. Chinaman evidently didn't like being 
left behind and set off at a canter to rejoin the main body. 
Wright's long legs barely carried him fast enough to stop 
this fatal stampede, but the ridiculous sight was due to 
the fact that old Jehu caught the infection and set off at a 
sprawling canter in Chinaman's wake. As this is the 
pony we thought scarcely capable of a single march at 
start, one is agreeably surprised to find him still displaying 
such commendable spirit. Christopher is troublesome 
as ever at the start ; I fear that signs of tamencss will 
only indicate absence of strength. The dogs followed us so 
easily over the 10 miles that Meares thought of going on 
again, but finally decided that the present easy work is best. 
Things look hopeful. The weather is beautiful- 
temp. - 12 0 , with a bright sun. Some stratus cloud about 
Discovery and over White Island. The sastrugi about 
here are very various in direction and the surface a good 
deal ploughed up, showing that the Bluff influences the 
wind direction even out as far as this camp. The surface 
is hard ; I take it about as good as we shall get. 
There is an annoying little southerly wind blowing 
