380 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 



feet. One way and another, I shall be glad to get off the sum- 

 mit! We are only about 13 miles from our ' Degree and half ' 

 Depot and should get there to-morrow. The weather seems 

 to be breaking up. Pray God we have something of a track to 

 follow to the Three Degree Depot once we pick that up we 

 ought to be right. 



Wednesday, January 24. Lunch Temp. -8. Things be- 

 ginning to look a little serious. A strong wind at the start has 

 developed into a full blizzard at lunch, and we have had to get 

 into our sleeping-bags. It was a bad march, but we covered 7 

 miles. At first Evans, and then Wilson went ahead to scout for 

 tracks. Bowers guided the sledge alone for the first hour, then 

 both Oates and he remained alongside it; they had a fearful 

 time trying to make the pace between the soft patches. At 12.30 

 the sun coming ahead made it impossible to see the tracks further, 

 and we had to stop. By this time the gale was at its height and 

 we had the dickens of a time getting up the tent, cold fingers 

 all round. We are only 7 miles from our depot, but I made 

 sure we should be there to-night. This is the second full gale 

 since we left the Pole. I don't like the look of it. Is the 

 weather breaking up? If so, God help us, with the tremendous 

 summit journey and scant food. Wilson and Bowers are my 

 standby. I don't like the easy way in which Oates and Evans 

 get frostbitten. 



Thursday, January 25. Temp. Lunch n, Temp, night 

 1 6. Thank God we found our Half Degree Depot. After 

 lying in our bags yesterday afternoon and all night, we debated 

 breakfast; decided to have it later and go without lunch. At 

 the time the gale seemed as bad as ever, but during breakfast 

 the sun showed and there was light enough to see the old track. 

 It was a long and terribly cold job digging out our sledge and 

 breaking camp, but we got through and on the march without 

 sail, all pulling. This was about 11, and at about 2.30, to our 

 joy, we saw the red depot flag. We had lunch and left with 

 9^4 days' provisions, still following the track marched till 8 

 and covered over 5 miles, over 12 in the day. Only 89 miles 

 (geogr.) to the next depot, but it's time we cleared off this 

 plateau. We are not without ailments: Oates suffers from a 

 very cold foot; Evans' fingers and nose are in a bad state, and 

 to-night Wilson is suffering tortures from his eyes. Bowers and 



