re to pull is doubtless inborn, implanted in a
long line of ancestors who have faithfully served the Esquimaux. We
found that the dogs were glad to get their harnesses on and to be led
away to the sledge. Really, it was often a case of the dog leading the
man, for, as soon as its harness was in place, the impatient animal
strained to drag whatever might be attached to the other end of the
rope. Before attaching a team of dogs to a sledge, it was necessary to
anchor the latter firmly, otherwise in their ardour they would make off
with it before everything was ready.

There can be no question as to the value of dogs as a means of traction
in the Polar regions, except when travelling continuously over very
rugged country, over heavily crevassed areas, or during unusually
bad weather. It is in such special stances that the superiority of
man-hauling has been proved. Further, in an enterprise where human life
is always at stake, it is only fair to put forward the consideration
that the dogs represent a reserve of food in case of extreme emergency.

We continued due eastwards until five o'clock on the afternoon of the
17th at an altitude of two thousand six hundred feet. On the crest of a
ridge, which bore away in distinct outline, on our left, a fine panorama
of coastal scenery was visible. Far off on the eastern horizon the Mertz
Glacier Tongue discovered itself in a long wall touched in luminous
bands by the south-western sun. A wide valley fell away in front, and
beyond it was a deep indentation of the coastline, which would make it
necessary for us to follow a more southerly course in order to round its
head.

I determined to convey to the other parties my intentions, which had
become more defined on seeing this view; and, in the meantime, we halted
and treated ourselves to afternoon tea. This innovation in the ordinary
routine was extended to a custom by saving a portion of the lunch ration
for a "snack" at 5 P.M. on all days when the weather was moderately
good. As latitude sights were required at midday and longitude shots at
5 P.M., the arrangement was very convenient, for, while one of us made
tea, the other two took the observations.

About 6 P.M. the two man-hauled sledges came up with us, our plans for
the future were reviewed and the final instructions were given. We bade
our comrades adieu and, turning to the south-east, descended quickly
down a long slope leading into the valley. The sky was overcast and it