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