368 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION Qanuary 



but fear that a disturbance of this sort may last longer than our 

 local storm. 



It is quite impossible to speak too highly of my companions. 

 Each fulfils his office to the party; Wilson, first as doctor, ever 

 on the lookout to alleviate the small pains and troubles incidental 

 to the work, now as cook, quick, careful and dexterous, ever 

 thinking of some fresh expedient to help the camp life; tough 

 as steel on the traces, never wavering from start to finish. 



Evans, a giant worker with a really remarkable headpiece. 

 It is only now I realise how much has been due to him. Our 

 ski shoes and crampons have been absolutely indispensable, and 

 if the original ideas were not his, the details of manufacture and 

 design and the good workmanship are his alone. He is responsi- 

 ble for every sledge, every sledge fitting, tents, sleeping-bags, 

 harness, and when one cannot recall a single expression of dis- 

 satisfaction with any one of these items, it shows what an invalu- 

 able assistant he has been. Now, besides superintending the 

 putting up of the tent, he thinks out and arranges the packing of 

 the sledge; it is extraordinary how neatly and handily every- 

 thing is stowed, and how much study has been given to preserving 

 the suppleness and good running qualities of the machine. On 

 the Barrier, before the ponies were killed, he was ever roaming 

 round, correcting faults of stowage. 



Little Bowers remains a marvel — he is thoroughly enjoying 

 himself. I leave all the provision arrangement in his hands, and 

 at all times he knows exactly how we stand, or how each return- 

 ing party should fare. It has been a complicated business to re- 

 distribute stores at various stages of re-organisation, but not one 

 single mistake has been made. In addition to the stores, he keeps 

 the most thorough and conscientious meteorological record, and 

 to this he now adds the duty of observer and photographer. 

 Nothing comes amiss to him, and no work is too hard. It is 

 a difficulty to get him into the tent; he seems quite oblivious of 

 the cold, and he lies coiled in his bag writing and working out 

 sights long after the others are asleep. 



Of these three it is a matter for thought and congratulation 

 that each is sufficiently suited for his own work, but would not 

 be capable of doing that of the others as well as it is done. Each 

 is invaluable. Oates had his invaluable period with the ponies; 

 now he is a foot slogger and goes hard the whole time, does 



