i 4 o SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [March 



the ill-usage of clothes what I have come to regard as the 

 greatest danger with Englishmen. 



Friday, March 10, A.M. Went yesterday to Castle Rock 

 with Wilson to see what chance there might be of getting to 

 Cape Evans.* The day was bright and it was quite warm 

 walking in the sun. There is no doubt the route to Cape Evans 

 lies over the worst corner of Erebus. From this distance the 

 whole mountain side looks a mass of crevasses, but a route 

 might be found at a level of 3000 or 4000 ft. 



The hut is getting warmer and more comfortable. We have 

 very excellent nights; it is cold only in the early morning. The 

 outside temperatures range from 8 or so in the day to 2 at 

 night. To-day there is a strong S.E. wind with drift. We are 

 going to fetch more blubber for the stove. 



Saturday, March 1 1 , A.M. Went yesterday morning to 

 Pram Point to fetch in blubber wind very strong to Gap but 

 very little on Pram Point side. 



In the evening went half-way to Castle Rock; strong bitter 

 cold wind on summit. Could not see the sledge party, but after 

 supper they arrived, having had very hard pulling. They had 

 had no wind at all till they approached the hut. Their tempera- 

 tures had fallen to io and 15 , but with bright clear sun- 

 shine in the daytime. They had thoroughly enjoyed their trip 

 and the pulling on ski. 



Life in the hut is much improved, but if things go too fast 

 there will be all too little to think about and give occupation 

 in the hut. 



It is astonishing how the miscellaneous assortment of articles 

 remaining in and about the hut have been put to useful purpose. 



This deserves description. 15 



Monday, March 13, A.M. The weather grew bad on Satur- 

 day night and we had a mild blizzard yesterday. The wind 

 went to the south and increased in force last night, and this 

 morning there was quite a heavy sea breaking over the ice foot. 

 The spray came almost up to the dogs. It reminds us of the 

 gale in which we drove ashore in the Discovery. We have had 

 some trouble with our blubber stove and got the hut very full 

 of smoke on Saturday night. As a result we are all as black 



* I.e. by land, now that the sea ice was out. 



