general opinion that we could risk leaving the bales of hay here until
the depot stuff had been taken south. Accordingly, all the more important
stores were relayed on January 29 to a position two miles in from the
Barrier edge. Whilst doing this relay work I went in with Meares to Hut
Point to bring out some 250 lb. of dog biscuit, and our dogs, being very
fresh, scented a seal, took charge of the light sledge, and, in spite of
all the brakeing and obstructing Meares and I put up, the dogs went
wildly forward until they reached the seal. The second they came to it
Meares and I found ourselves in the midst of a snapping, snarling, and
biting mixture, with the poor seal floundering underneath. While we were
beating the dogs off the seal bit Meares in the leg; he looked awfully
surprised and showed great forbearance in not giving the seal one for
himself with the iron-shod brake stick. I never saw anybody less vicious
in nature than "Mother" Meares: he never knocked the dogs about unless it
was absolutely necessary. Even Osman, the wild wolf-like king-dog, showed
affection for him.

Whilst moving the sledging stores to Safety Camp, as we called the depot,
two miles in, we came across two tents left by Shackleton two or three
years before. They contained a few stores and a Primus stove, which
proved to be most useful later on. On January 30 and 31 we completed the
depot at Safety Camp and then reorganised the depot party, owing to
Atkinson's developing a very sore heel, which made it impossible for him
to accompany us. It did not matter very much, because we had heaps of
people to work the depot-laying journey, only it meant a disappointment
for Atkinson, which he took to heart very much. The question of sledging
experience made us wish to have Atkinson on this trip, but he gained it a
few weeks later. Accordingly, I took over Crean's pony, Blossom, whilst
he took charge of our sick man and returned with him to Hut Point. Scott
himself took Atkinson's pony, and on the 2nd February the caravan