Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/556

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372
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION
[October

and the time was just sufficient. Rennick was able to Lyttelton, Oct. 10–Dec. 15, 1911. finish the chart of the Three Kings and the ship's soundings by working hard at it, although the time was very short for such work.

The mules, given by the Indian Government, had arrived some weeks before the return of the ship and were enjoying themselves in the fields on Quail Island, while the fourteen Siberian dogs from Vladivostok arrived during October. Everything that care and foresight could do for the mules had been done before they left India, and the Expedition owes a deep debt of gratitude to Lieutenant George Pulleyn of the Indian army, in whose care they were, for the trouble taken over them. For some time before leaving India they had been exercised in rocking-boxes to develop the muscles especially brought into use by the motion of a ship; and their equipment, which was sent with them, had been thought out with the greatest care. As we had only seven mules, the stables were built over the forehatch on the foremost side of the ice-house, so that they all were in the open air.

The dogs travelled unattended from Japan, and the officers of the different ships in which the mules and the dogs travelled took every possible pains to keep them in good health, with the most happy results in both cases.

Mr. James Dennistoun joined the Expedition here to take charge of the mules on the way south.

Lillie had a very fairly successful month at Wangamumu, as a good many whales were caught, all