On our return we found Meares had returned; he and the dogs well.  He told us that (Lieut.) Evans had come into Hut Point on Saturday to fetch a personal bag left behind there.  Evans reported that Lashly’s motor had broken down near Safety Camp; they found the big end smashed up in one cylinder and traced it to a faulty casting; they luckily had spare parts, and Day and Lashly worked all night on repairs in a temperature of -25 deg..  By the morning repairs were completed and they had a satisfactory trial run, dragging on loads with both motors.  Then Evans found out his loss and returned on ski, whilst, as I gather, the motors proceeded; I don’t quite know how, but I suppose they ran one on at a time.

On account of this accident and because some of our hardest worked people were badly hit by the two days’ absence helping the machines, I have decided to start on Wednesday instead of to-morrow.  If the blizzard should blow out, Atkinson and Keohane will set off to-morrow for Hut Point, so that we may see how far Jehu is to be counted on.

Tuesday, October 31.—­The blizzard has blown itself out this morning, and this afternoon it has cleared; the sun is shining and the wind dropping.  Meares and Ponting are just off to Hut Point.  Atkinson and Keohane will probably leave in an hour or so as arranged, and if the weather holds, we shall all get off to-morrow.  So here end the entries in this diary with the first chapter of our History.  The future is in the lap of the gods; I can think of nothing left undone to deserve success.

CHAPTER XVI

Southern Journey:  The Barrier Stage

November 1.—­Last night we heard that Jehu had reached Hut Point in about 5 1/2 hours.  This morning we got away in detachments—­Michael, Nobby, Chinaman were first to get away about 11 A.M.  The little devil Christopher was harnessed with the usual difficulty and started in kicking mood, Oates holding on for all he was worth.

Bones ambled off gently with Crean, and I led Snippets in his wake.  Ten minutes after Evans and Snatcher passed at the usual full speed.

The wind blew very strong at the Razor Back and the sky was threatening—­the ponies hate the wind.  A mile south of this island Bowers and Victor passed me, leaving me where I best wished to be—­at the tail of the line.

About this place I saw that one of the animals ahead had stopped and was obstinately refusing to go forward again.  I had a great fear it was Chinaman, the unknown quantity, but to my relief found it was my old friend ‘Nobby’ in obstinate mood.  As he is very strong and fit the matter was soon adjusted with a little persuasion from Anton behind.  Poor little Anton found it difficult to keep the pace with short legs.