Il6 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [February 



more on the second march and we halted at 9 miles. Evans 

 said he might be dragged for another mile and we went on for 

 that distance and camped. 



The sky was overcast: very dark and snowy looking in the 

 south — very difficult to steer a course. Mt. Discovery is in line 

 with the south end of the Bluff from the camp and we are near 

 the 79th parallel. We must get exact bearings for this is to be 

 called the ' Bluff Camp ' and should play an important part in 

 the future. Bearings: Bluff 36" 13'; Black Island Rht. Ex. 

 I have decided to send E. Evans, Forde, and Keohane back 

 with the three weakest ponies which they have been leading. 

 The remaining five ponies which have been improving in condi- 

 tion will go on for a few days at least, and we must see how 

 near we can come to the 80th parallel. 



To-night we have been making all the necessary arrange- 

 ments for this plan. Cherry-Garrard is to come into our tent. 



Monday, February 13. — No. 12 Camp. 9 miles 150 yds. 

 The wind got up from the south with drift before we started 

 yesterday — all appearance of a blizzard. But we got away at 

 12.30 and marched through drift for 7 miles. It was exceed- 

 ingly cold at first. Just at starting the sky cleared in the won- 

 derfully rapid fashion usual in these regions. We saw that our 

 camp had the southern edge of the base rock of the Bluff in 

 line with Mt. Discovery, and White Island well clear of the 

 eastern slope of Mt. Erebus. A fairly easy alignment to 

 pick up. 



At lunch time the sky lightened up and the drift tempora- 

 rily ceased. I thought we were going to get in a good march, 

 but on starting again the drift came thicker than ever and soon 

 the course grew wild. We went on for 2 miles and then I 

 decided to camp. So here we are with a full blizzard blowing. 

 I told Wilson I should camp if it grew thick, and hope he and 

 Meares have stopped where they were. They saw Evans start 

 back from No. 1 1 Camp before leaving. I trust they have got 

 in something of a march before stopping. This continuous bad 

 weather is exceedingly trying, but our own ponies are quite com- 

 fortable this time, I'm glad to say. We have built them exten- 

 sive snow walls behind which they seem to get quite comfortable 

 shelter. We are five in a tent yet fairly comfortable. 



Our ponies' coats are certainly getting thicker and I see no 



