Though we are not yet safe, as another gale might have disastrous results, it is wonderful to realise the change which has been wrought in our outlook in twenty-four hours.  The others have confessed the gravely serious view of our position which they shared with me yesterday, and now we are all hopeful again.

As far as one can gather, besides the damage to the bulwarks of the ship, we have lost two ponies, one dog, ‘10 tons of coal,’ 65 gallons of petrol, and a case of the biologists’ spirit—­a serious loss enough, but much less than I expected.  ’All things considered we have come off lightly, but it was bad luck to strike a gale at such a time.’  The third pony which was down in a sling for some time in the gale is again on his feet.  He looks a little groggy, but may pull through if we don’t have another gale.  Osman, our best sledge dog, was very bad this morning, but has been lying warmly in hay all day, and is now much better.  ’Several more were in a very bad way and needed nursing back to life.’  The sea and wind seem to be increasing again, and there is a heavy southerly swell, but the glass is high; we ought not to have another gale till it falls._3_

Monday, December 5.—­Lat. 56 deg. 40’.—­The barometer has been almost steady since Saturday, the wind rising and falling slightly, but steady in direction from the west.  From a point off course we have crept up to the course itself.  Everything looks prosperous except the ponies.  Up to this morning, in spite of favourable wind and sea, the ship has been pitching heavily to a south-westerly swell.  This has tried the animals badly, especially those under the forecastle.  We had thought the ponies on the port side to be pretty safe, but two of them seem to me to be groggy, and I doubt if they could stand more heavy weather without a spell of rest.  I pray there may be no more gales.  We should be nearing the limits of the westerlies, but one cannot be sure for at least two days.  There is still a swell from the S.W., though it is not nearly so heavy as yesterday, but I devoutly wish it would vanish altogether.  So much depends on fine weather.  December ought to be a fine month in the Ross Sea; it always has been, and just now conditions point to fine weather.  Well, we must be prepared for anything, but I’m anxious, anxious about these animals of ours.

The dogs have quite recovered since the fine weather—­they are quite in good form again.

Our deck cargo is getting reduced; all the coal is off the upper deck and the petrol is re-stored in better fashion; as far as that is concerned we should not mind another blow.  Campbell and Bowers have been untiring in getting things straight on deck.