412 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [March 



that we have done everything possible, even to sacrificing our- 

 selves in order to save sick companions. I think this makes an 

 example for Englishmen of the future, and that the country ought 

 to help those who are left behind to mourn us. I leave my poor 

 girl and your godson, Wilson leaves a widow, and Edgar Evans 

 also a widow in humble circumstances. Do what you can to get 

 their claims recognised. Goodbye. I am not at all afraid of 

 the end, but sad to miss many a humble pleasure which I had 

 planned for the future on our long marches. I may not have 

 proved a great explorer, but we have done the greatest march 

 ever made and come very near to great success. Goodbye, my 

 dear friend, 



Yours ever, 



R. Scott. 



We are in a desperate state, feet frozen, &c. No fuel and 

 a long way from food, but it would do your heart good to be in 

 our tent, to hear our songs and the cheery conversation as to 

 what we will do when we get to Hut Point. 



Later. We are very near the end, but have not and will not 

 lose our good cheer. We have four days of storm in our tent 

 and nowhere's food or fuel. We did intend to finish ourselves 

 when things proved like this, but we have decided to die naturally 

 in the track. 



As a dying man, my dear friend, be good to my wife and 

 child. Give the boy a chance in life if the State won't do it. 

 He ought to have good stuff in him. ... I never met a man 

 in my life whom I admired and loved more than you, but I 

 never could show you how much your friendship meant to me, 

 for you had much to give and I nothing. 



To the Right Hon. Sir Edgar Speyer, Bart. 



Dated March 16, 191 2. Lat. 79-5. 

 My dear Sir Edgar, 



I hope this may reach you. I fear we must go and that 

 it leaves the Expedition in a bad muddle. But we have been to 

 the Pole and we shall die like gentlemen. I regret only for the 

 women we leave behind. 



I thank you a thousand times for your help and support and 

 your generous kindness. If this diary is found it will show how 



