I forgot to mention that looking back on the 15th we saw a cairn built on a camp 12 1/2 miles behind—­it was miraged up.

It seems as though some of our party will find spring journeys pretty trying.  Oates’ nose is always on the point of being frostbitten; Meares has a refractory toe which gives him much trouble—­this is the worst prospect for summit work.  I have been wondering how I shall stick the summit again, this cold spell gives ideas.  I think I shall be all right, but one must be prepared for a pretty good doing.

CHAPTER VI

Adventure and Peril

Saturday, February 18.—­Camp 12.  North 22 miles 1996 yards.  I scattered some oats 50 yards east of depot. [12] The minimum thermometer showed -16 deg. when we left camp:  inform Simpson!

The ponies started off well, Gran leading my pony with Weary Willy behind, the Soldier leading his with Cherry’s behind, and Bowers steering course as before with a light sledge. [13]

We started half an hour later, soon overtook the ponies, and luckily picked up a small bag of oats which they had dropped.  We went on for 10 3/4 miles and stopped for lunch.  After lunch to our astonishment the ponies appeared, going strong.  They were making for a camp some miles farther on, and meant to remain there.  I’m very glad to have seen them making the pace so well.  They don’t propose to stop for lunch at all but to march right through 10 or 12 miles a day.  I think they will have little difficulty in increasing this distance.

For the dogs the surface has been bad, and one or another of us on either sledge has been running a good part of the time.  But we have covered 23 miles:  three marches out.  We have four days’ food for them and ought to get in very easily.

As we camp late the temperature is evidently very low and there is a low drift.  Conditions are beginning to be severe on the Barrier and I shall be glad to get the ponies into more comfortable quarters.

Sunday, February 19.—­Started 10 P.M.  Camped 6.30.  Nearly 26 miles to our credit.  The dogs went very well and the surface became excellent after the first 5 or 6 miles.  At the Bluff Camp, No. 11, we picked up Evans’ track and found that he must have made excellent progress.  No. 10 Camp was much snowed up:  I should imagine our light blizzard was severely felt along this part of the route.  We must look out to-morrow for signs of Evans being ‘held up.’

The old tracks show better here than on the softer surface.  During this journey both ponies and dogs have had what under ordinary circumstances would have been a good allowance of food, yet both are desperately hungry.  Both eat their own excrement.  With the ponies it does not seem so horrid, as there must be a good deal of grain, &c., which is not fully digested.  It is the worst side of dog driving.  All the rest is diverting.  The way in which they keep up a steady jog trot for hour after hour is wonderful.  Their legs seem steel springs, fatigue unknown—­for at the end of a tiring march any unusual incident will arouse them to full vigour.  Osman has been restored to leadership.  It is curious how these leaders come off and go off, all except old Stareek, who remains as steady as ever.