52 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 



' But of course this slight list of activity in the cause of 

 science is a very poor showing for the time of our numerous 

 experts; many have had to be idle in regard to their own 

 specialities, though none are idle otherwise. All the scientific 

 people keep night watch when they have no special work to do, 

 and I have never seen a party of men so anxious to be doing, 

 work or so cheerful in doing it. When there is anything to be 

 done, such as making or shortening sail, digging ice from floes 

 for the water supply, or heaving up the sounding line, it goes 

 without saying that all the afterguard turn out to do it. There 

 is no hesitation and no distinction. It will be the same when it 

 comes to landing stores or doing any other hard manual labour. 



' The spirit of the enterprise is as bright as ever. Every one 

 strives to help every one else, and not a word of complaint or 

 anger has been heard on board. The inner life of our small 

 community is very pleasant to think upon and very wonderful 

 considering the extremely small space in which we are confined. 



' The attitude of the men is equally worthy of admiration. 

 In the forecastle as in the wardroom there is a rush to be first 

 when work is to be done, and the same desire to sacrifice selfish 

 consideration to the success of the expedition. It is very good 

 to be able to write in such high praise of one's companions, and 

 I feel that the possession of such support ought to ensure success. 

 Fortune would be in a hard mood indeed if it allowed such a 

 combination of knowledge, experience, ability, and enthusiasm to 

 achieve nothing.' 



