4?o 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [November 
them. Christopher kicked the bow of his sledge in towards 
the end of the march. He must have a lot left in him 
though. 
"Tuesday, November 21. — Camp 17. Lat. 8o° 35'. The 
surface decidedly better and the ponies very steady on the 
march. None seem overtired, and now it is impossible 
not to take a hopeful view of their prospect of pulling 
through. (Temp. - 14 0 , night.) The only circumstance to 
be feared is a reversion to bad surfaces, and that ought 
not to happen on this course. Wc marched to the usual 
lunch camp and saw a large cairn ahead. Two miles 
beyond we came on the Motor Party in Lat. 8o° 32'. We 
learned that they had been waiting for six days. They 
all look very fit, but declare themselves to be very hungry. 
This is interesting as showing conclusively that a ration 
amply sufficient for the needs of men leading ponies is 
quite insufficient for men doing hard pulling work; it 
therefore fully justifies the provision which wc have made 
for the Summit work. Even on that I have little doubt 
we shall soon get hungry. Day looks very thin, almost 
gaunt, but fit. The weather is beautiful — long may it so 
continue! (Temp. + 6°, 11 a.m.) 
It is decided to take on the Motor Party in advance 
for three days, then Day and Hooper return. Wc hope 
Jehu will last three days ; he will then be finished in any 
case and fed to the dogs. It is amusing to see Mearcs 
looking eagerly for the chance of a feed for his animals ; 
he has been expecting it daily. On the other hand, 
Atkinson and Oatcs are eager to get the poor animal 
beyond the point at which Shacklcton killed his first 
