But the scene on the morning of Saturday, November 26, baffles description.  There is no deck visible:  in addition to 30 tons of coal in sacks on deck there are 21/2 tons of petrol, stowed in drums which in turn are cased in wood.  On the top of sacks and cases, and on the roof of the ice-house are thirty-three dogs, chained far enough apart to keep them from following their first instinct—­to fight the nearest animal they can see:  the ship is a hubbub of howls.  In the forecastle and in the four stalls on deck are the nineteen ponies, wedged tightly in their wooden stalls, and dwarfing everything are the three motor sledges in their huge crates, 16’ x 5’ x 4’, two of them on either side of the main hatch, the third across the break of the poop.  They are covered with tarpaulins and secured in every possible way, but it is clear that in a big sea their weight will throw a great strain upon the deck.  It is not altogether a cheerful sight.  But all that care and skill can do has been done to ensure that the deck cargo will not shift, and that the animals may be as sheltered as possible from wind and seas.  And it’s no good worrying about what can’t be helped.

FOOTNOTES: 

[36] Vide Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. ii. pp. 454-456.

[37] “Atmospheric Electricity over Ocean,” by G. C. Simpson and
C. S. Wright, Pro.  Roy.  Soc. A, vol. 85, 1911.

[38] See B.A.E., 1910, Nat.  Hist.  Report, vol. i.  No. 3, p. 117.

[39] Ibid. p. 111.

CHAPTER III

SOUTHWARD

Open the bones, and you shall nothing find
In the best face but filth; when, Lord, in Thee
The beauty lies in the discovery. 

          
                                                                GEORGE HERBERT.

Telegrams from all parts of the world, special trains, all ships dressed, crowds and waving hands, steamers out to the Heads and a general hullabaloo—­these were the incidents of Saturday, November 26, 1910, when we slipped from the wharf at Lyttelton at 3 P.M.  We were to call at Dunedin before leaving civilization, and arrived there on Sunday night.  Here we took on the remainder of our coal.  On Monday night we danced, in fantastic clothing for we had left our grand clothes behind, and sailed finally for the South the following afternoon amidst the greatest enthusiasm.  The wives remained with us until we reached the open sea.

Amongst those who only left us at the last minute was Mr. Kinsey of Christchurch.  He acted for Scott in New Zealand during the Discovery days, and for Shackleton in 1907.  We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude for his help.  “His interest in the expedition is wonderful, and such interest on the part of a thoroughly shrewd business man is an asset of which I have taken full advantage.  Kinsey will act as my agent in Christchurch during my absence; I have given him an ordinary power of attorney, and I think have left him in possession of all the facts.  His kindness to us was beyond words."[40]