^"I 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. - 35 . 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 dre?dfully 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 21. Got within 1 1 miles of depot Mon- 

 day night; * had to lay up all yesterday in severe blizzard. 27 



* The 60th camp from the Pole. 



