about the grounding
and told him of his own experience in 1904, when the "Discovery" was
bumping heavily in a gale just after freeing herself from the ice at Hut
Point.

Nelson, Griffith Taylor, Meares, and Day helped me with the sledge
packing until 11.30 p.m. when we rolled into our bunks tired out and
immediately fell asleep.

The next day, a Sunday, was entirely devoted to preparing personal gear
for the depot journey: this means fitting lamp wick straps to our fur
boots or finnesko, picking from our kits a proportion of puttees and
socks, sewing more lamp wick on to our fur gloves so that these could
hang from our shoulders when it was necessary to uncover our hands. We
also had to fit draw-strings to our wind-proof blouses and adjust our
headgear according to our individual fancy, and finally, tobacco and
smokers' requisites would be added to the little bundle, which all packed
up neatly in a pillow-slip. This personal bag served also as a pillow.

CHAPTER VI

SETTLING DOWN TO THE POLAR LIFE

The following members were selected for the depot journey which Captain
Scott elected to lead in person: Wilson, Bowers, Atkinson, Oates,
Cherry-Garrard, Gran, Meares, Ford, Crean, Keohane, and myself. It was
decided to take eight pony-sledges and two dog-sledges, together with
about a ton of pony food, sledging rations, dog biscuit, and paraffin to
a position on the Great Ice Barrier as far south as we could get before
the first winter set in. This decision was arrived at by Scott after
consultation with Oates and others, and, as will be seen by reference to
the list of those chosen for the journey, none of the scientific staff
were included except Wilson himself.

The ponies selected were either those in the best condition or the weaker
beasts which from Oates's viewpoint would hardly survive the rigours of
the winter. Apart from the animals picked for this journey, we had nine
beasts left to be taken care of by the little Russian, Anton, and the
trusty Lashly, whose mechanical knowledge and practical ability were
needed to help get the Base Station going.

On January 3 I was sent on board with all the sledges, including two for
a western geological reconnaissance and a small spare sledge for use in
case of breakdown or accident to the depot-laying people. By this time no
ice remained in the bay north of Cape Evans and the transport out to the
"Terra Nova" had perforce to be done by boat.

I was glad to