1912] OUTLOOK DOUBTFUL 



407 



have 30 opium tabloids apiece and he is left with a tube of 

 morphine. So far the tragical side of our story, (R,53.) 



The sky completely overcast when we started this morning. 

 We could see nothing, lost the tracks, and doubtless have been 

 swaying a good deal since — 3-1 miles for the forenoon — terribly 

 heavy dragging — expected it. Know that 6 miles is about the 

 limit of our endurance now, if we get no help from wind or 

 surfaces. We have 7 days' food and should be about 55 miles 

 from One Ton Camp to-night, 6X7 = 42, leaving us 13 miles 

 short of our distance, even if things get no worse. Meanwhile 

 the season rapidly advances. 



Monday, March 12. — We did 6-9 miles yesterday, under 

 our necessary average. Things are left much the same, Oates 

 not pulling much, and now with hands as well as feet pretty well 

 useless. We did 4 miles this morning in 4 hours 20 min. — we 

 may hope for 3 this afternoon, 7x6 = 42. We shall be 47 

 miles from the depot. I doubt if we can possibly do it. The 

 surface remains awful, the cold intense, and our physical con- 

 dition running down. God help us I Not a breath of favourable 

 wind for more than a week, and apparently liable to head winds 

 at any moment. 



Wednesday, March 14. — No doubt about the going down- 

 hill, but everything going wrong for us. Yesterday we woke 

 to a strong northerly wind with temp. —37°. Couldn't face 

 it, so remained In camp (R.54) till 2, then did 5^ miles. 

 Wanted to march later, but party feeling the cold badly as the 

 breeze (N.) never took off entirely, and as the sun sank the 

 temp. fell. Long time getting supper in dark. (R.55.) 



This morning started with southerly breeze, set sail and 

 passed another cairn at good speed; half-way, however, the 

 wind shifted to W. by S. or W.S.W., blew through our wind 

 clothes and into our mits. Poor Wilson horribly cold, could 

 not get off ski for some time. Bowers and I practically made 

 camp, and when we got into the tent at last we were all deadly 

 cold. Then temp, now midday down - 43° and the wind strong. 

 We must go on, but now the making of every camp must be 

 more difficult and dangerous. It must be near the end, but a 

 pretty merciful end. Poor Oates got it again In the foot. I 

 shudder to think what it will be like to-morrow. It is only with 

 greatest pains rest of us keep off frostbites. No idea there 



