Friday, November 24.—­Camp 20.  There was a cold wind changing from south to S.E. and overcast sky all day yesterday.  A gloomy start to our march, but the cloud rapidly lifted, bands of clear sky broke through from east to west, and the remnants of cloud dissipated.  Now the sun is very bright and warm.  We did the usual march very easily over a fairly good surface, the ponies now quite steady and regular.  Since the junction with the Motor Party the procedure has been for the man-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 are 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 deg.).  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 deg.).  All started together, the man-haulers, Evans, Lashly, and Atkinson, going ahead with their gear on the 10-ft. sledge.  Chinaman 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 behind, but not more than 300 yards at the finish, so we all got into camp very satisfactorily together.  The men said the first march was extremely heavy (T.-(-2 deg.).

The sun has been shining all night, but towards midnight light mist clouds arose, half obscuring the leading parties.  Land can be dimly discerned nearly ahead.  The ponies are slowly tiring, but we lighten loads again to-morrow by making another depot.  Meares has just come up to report that Jehu made four feeds for the dogs.  He cut up very well and had quite a lot of fat on him.  Meares says another pony will carry him to the Glacier.  This is very good hearing.  The men are pulling with ski sticks and say that they are a great assistance.  I think of taking them up the Glacier.  Jehu has certainly come up trumps after all, and Chinaman bids fair to be even more valuable.  Only a few more marches to feel safe in getting to our first goal.