376 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 



the note. There is no doubt that our predecessors have made 

 thoroughly sure of their mark and fully carried out their pro- 

 gramme. I think the Pole is about 9500 feet in height; this is 

 remarkable, considering that in Lat. 88 we were about 10,500. 

 We carried the Union Jack about ^ of a mile north with us 

 and left it on a piece of stick as near as we could fix it. I fancy 

 the Norwegians arrived at the Pole on the 15th Dec. and left on 

 the 17th, ahead of a date quoted by me in London as ideal, 

 viz. Dec. 22. It looks as though the Norwegian party expected 

 colder weather on the summit than they got; it could scarcely 

 be otherwise from Shackleton's account. Well, we have turned 

 our back now on the goal of our ambition and must face our 

 800 miles of solid dragging and good-bye to most of the day- 

 dreams! 



