238 SCOTT’S LAST EXPEDITION [NovemBer 
it a rough cross was placed, made from the greater portion of 
two skis, and on either side were up-ended two sledges, and they 
were fixed firmly in the snow, to be an added mark. Between 
the eastern sledge and the cairn a bamboo was placed, containing 
a metal cylinder, and in this the following record was left: 
‘November 12, 1912, lat. 79 degrees, 50 mins. South. This 
cross and cairn are erected over the bodies of Captain Scott, 
C.V.O., R.N., Doctor E. A. Wilson, M.B., B.C., Cantab., and 
Lieutenant H. R. Bowers, Royal Indian Marine—a slight token 
to perpetuate their successful and gallant attempt to reach the 
Pole. This they did on January 17, 1912, after the Norwegian 
expedition had already done so. Inclement weather with lack 
of fuel was the cause of their death. Also to commemorate their 
two gallant comrades, Captain L. E. G. Oates of the Inniskilling 
Dragoons, who walked to his death in a blizzard to save his com- 
rades about eighteen miles south of this position; also of Sea- 
man Edgar Evans, who died at the foot of the Beardmore Gla- 
cier. ‘‘ The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away; blessed be 
the name of the Lord.”’’ 
This was signed by all the members of the party. I decided 
then to march twenty miles south with the whole of the expedition 
and try to find the body of Captain Oates. 
For half that day we proceeded south, as far as possible 
along the line of the previous season’s march. On one of the 
old pony walls, which was simply marked by a ridge of the sur- 
face of the snow, we found Oates’ sleeping-bag, which they had 
brought along with them after he-lad left. 
The next day we proceeded thirteen more miles south, hoping 
and searching to find his body. When we arrived at the place 
where he had left them, we saw that there was no chance of 
doing so. The kindly snow had covered his body, giving him a 
fitting burial. Here, again, as near to the site of the death as we 
could judge, we built another cairn to his memory, and placed 
thereon a small cross and the following record: ‘ Hereabouts 
died a very gallant gentleman, Captain L. E. G. Oates of the 
Inniskilling Dragoons. In March 1912, returning from the 
Pole, he walked willingly to his death in a blizzard, to try and 
save his comrades, beset by hardships. This note is left by the 
relief Expedition of 1912.’ 
It was signed by Cherry and myself. 
