286 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [October 



where for the main part the protection of a chain of grounded 

 bergs has preserved the ice from all pressure. Outside these, 

 and occasionally reaching to the headlands, there is a good deal 

 of pressed up ice of this season, together with the latest of the 

 old broken pack. Travelling through this is difficult, as we found 

 on our return journey. Beyond this belt we passed through 

 irregular patches where the ice, freezing at later intervals in 

 the season, has been much screwed. The whole shows the gen- 

 eral tendency of the ice to pack along the coast. 



The objects of our little journey were satisfactorily accom- 

 plished, but the greatest source of pleasure to me is to realise 

 that I have such men as Bowers and P.O. Evans for the Southern 

 journey. I do not think that harder men or better sledge travel- 

 lers ever took the trail. Bowers is a little wonder. I realised 

 all that he must have done for the C. Crozier Party in their 

 far severer experience. 



In spite of the late hour of our return everyone was soon 

 afoot, and I learned the news at once. E. R. Evans, Gran, 

 and Forde had returned from the Corner Camp journey the 

 day after we left. They were away six nights, four spent on 

 the Barrier under very severe conditions — the minimum for one 

 night registered — 73°. 



I am glad to find that Corner Camp showed up well; in fact, 

 in more than one place remains of last year's pony walls were 

 seen. This remov^es all anxiety as to the chance of finding the 

 One Ton Camp. 



On this journey Forde got his hand badly frostbitten. I 

 am annoyed at this, as it argues want of care; moreover there 

 is a good chance that the tip of one of the fingers will be lost, 

 and if this happens or if the hand is slow in recovery, Forde 

 cannot take part in the Western Party. I have no one to re- 

 place him. 



E. R. Evans looks remarkably well, as also Gran. 



The ponies look very well and all are reported to be very 

 buckish. 



Wednesday, October 3. — We have had a very bad weather 

 spell. Friday, the day after we returned, was gloriously fine — 

 It might have been a December day, and an inexperienced visitor 

 might have wondered why on earth we had not started to the 

 South. Saturday supplied a reason; the wind blew cold and 



