ion] THE FIRST PONY SHOT 473 
hauling people to go forward just ahead of the crocks, 
the other party following 2 or 3 hours later. To-day we 
closed less than usual, so that the crocks must have been 
going very well. However, the fiat had already gone 
forth, and this morning after the march poor old Jehu was 
led back on the track and shot. After our doubts as to 
his reaching Hut Point, it is wonderful to think that he 
has actually got eight marches beyond our last year limit 
and could have gone more. However, towards the end 
he was pulling very little, and on the whole it is merciful 
to have ended his life. Chinaman seems to improve and 
will certainly last a good many days yet. The rest show 
no signs of flagging and arc only moderately hungry. 
The surface is tiring for walking, as one sinks two or three 
inches nearly all the time. I feel we ought to get through 
now. Day and Hooper leave us to-night. 
Saturday, November 25. — Camp 21. The surface during 
the first march was very heavy owing to a liberal coating 
of ice crystals ; it improved during the second march, 
becoming quite good towards the end (T. -2°). Now that 
it is pretty warm at night it is obviously desirable to 
work towards day marching. We shall start 2 hours 
later to-night and again to-morrow night. 
Last night we bade farewell to Day and Hooper and 
set out with the new organisation (T. -8°). All started 
together, the man-haulers, Evans, Lashly, and Atkinson, 
going ahead with their gear on the 10-ft. sledge. China- 
man and James Pigg next, and the rest some ten minutes 
behind. We reached the lunch camp together and started 
therefrom in the same order, the two crocks somewhat 
