130 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [February 



a bag containing a mail was inside, but no bag could be found. 

 We puzzled much, then finally decided on the true solution, viz. 

 that Atkinson and Crean had gone towards Safety Camp as 

 we went to Hut Point later we saw their sledge track leading 

 round on the sea ice. Then we returned towards Safety Camp 

 and endured a very bad hour in which we could see the two bell 

 tents but not the domed. It was an enormous relief to find the 

 dome securely planted, as the ice round Cape Armitage is evi- 

 dently very weak; I have never seen such enormous water 

 holes off it. 



But every incident of the day pales before the startling con- 

 tents of the mail bag which Atkinson gave me a letter from 

 Campbell setting out his doings and the finding of Amundsen 

 established in the Bay of Whales. 



One thing only fixes itself definitely in my mind. The proper, 

 as well as the wiser, course for us is to proceed exactly as though 

 this had not happened. To go forward and do our best for the 

 honour of the country without fear or panic. 



There is no doubt that Amundsen's plan is a very serious 

 menace to ours. He has a shorter distance to the Pole by 60 

 miles I never thought he could have got so many dogs safely 

 to the ice. His plan for running them seems excellent. But 

 above and beyond all he can start his journey early in the season 

 an impossible condition with ponies. 



The ice is still in at the Glacier Tongue : a very late date 

 it looks as though it will not break right back this season, but 

 off Cape Armitage it is so thin that I doubt if the ponies could 

 safely be walked round. 



Thursday, February 23. Spent the day preparing sledges, 

 &c, for party to meet Bowers at Corner Camp. It was blowing 

 and drifting and generally uncomfortable. Wilson and Meares 

 killed three seals for the dogs. 



Friday, February 24. Roused out at 6. Started marching 

 at 9. Self, Crean, and Cherry-Garrard one sledge and tent; 

 Evans, Atkinson, Forde, second sledge and tent; Keohane lead- 

 ing his pony. We pulled on ski in the forenoon; the second 

 sledge couldn't keep up, so we changed about for half the 

 march. In the afternoon we pulled on foot. On the whole 

 I thought the labour greater on foot, so did Crean, showing 

 the advantage of experience. 



