I9I2] SCOTT FROSTBITTEN 409 



pony marches from One Ton Depot. We leave here our theodo- 

 lite, a camera, and Oates' sleeping-bags. Diaries, &c., and geo- 

 logical specimens carried at Wilson's special request, will be 

 found with us or on our sledge. 



Sunday, March 18. — To-day, lunch, we are 21 miles from 

 the depot. Ill fortune presses, but better may come. We have 

 had more wind and drift from ahead yesterday; had to stop 

 marching; wind N.W., force 4, temp. —'^S°- No human being 

 could face it, and we are worn out nearly. 



My right foot has gone, nearly all the toes — two days ago I 

 was proud possessor of best feet. These are the steps of my 

 downfall. Like an ass I mixed a small spoonful of curry powder 

 with my melted pemmican — it gave me violent indigestion. I lay 

 awake and in pain all night; woke and felt done on the march; 

 foot went and I didn't know it. A very small measure of neglect 

 and have a foot which is not pleasant to contemplate. Bowers 

 takes first place in condition, but there is not much to choose after 

 all. The others are still confident of getting through — or pre- 

 tend to be — I don't know ! We have the last half fill of oil in 

 our primus and a very small quantity of spirit — this alone be- 

 tween us and thirst. The wind is fair for the moment, and that 

 is perhaps a fact to help. The mileage would have seemed 

 ridiculously small on our outward journey. 



Monday, March 19. — Lunch. We camped with difficulty 

 last night, and were dreadfully cold till after our supper of cold 

 pemmican and biscuit and a half a pannikin of cocoa cooked 

 over the spirit. Then, contrary to expectation, we got warm 

 and all slept well. To-day we started In the usual dragging 

 manner. Sledge dreadfully heavy. We are 15^^ miles from 

 the depot and ought to get there in three days. What progress ! 

 We have two days' food but barely a day's fuel. All our feet 

 are getting bad — Wilson's best, my right foot worst, left all 

 right. There is no chance to nurse one's feet till we can get 

 hot food into us. Amputation Is the least I can hope for now, 

 but will the trouble spread? That Is the serious question. The 

 weather doesn't give us a chance — the wind from N. to N.W. 

 and - 40° temp, to-day. 



Wednesday, March 2 1 . — Got within 1 1 miles of depot Mon- 

 day night; * had to lay up all yesterday In severe blizzard.^" 



* The 60th camp from the Pole. 



