238 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [NOVEMBER 



it a rough cross was placed, made from the greater portion of 

 two skis, and on either side were up-ended two sledges, and they 

 were fixed firmly in the snow, to be an added mark. Between 

 the eastern sledge and the cairn a bamboo was placed, containing 

 a metal cylinder, and in this the following record was left: 



' November 12, 1912, lat. 79 degrees, 50 mins. South. This 

 cross and cairn are erected over the bodies of Captain Scott, 

 C.V.O., R.N., Doctor E. A. Wilson, M.B., B.C., Cantab., and 

 Lieutenant H. R. Bowers, Royal Indian Marine a slight token 

 to perpetuate their successful and gallant attempt to reach the 

 Pole. This they did on January 17, 1912, after the Norwegian 

 expedition had already done so. Inclement weather with lack 

 of fuel was the cause of their death. Also to commemorate their 

 two gallant comrades, Captain L. E. G. Oates of the Inniskilling 

 Dragoons, who walked to his death in a blizzard to save his com- 

 rades about eighteen miles south of this position; also of Sea- 

 man Edgar Evans, who died at the foot of the Beardmore Gla- 

 cier. "The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away; blessed be 

 the name of the Lord." 



This was signed by all the members of the party. I decided 

 then to march twenty miles south with the whole of the expedition 

 and try to find the body of Captain Oates. 



For half that day we proceeded south, as far as possible 

 along the line of the previous season's march. On one of the 

 old pony walls, which was simply marked by a ridge of the sur- 

 face of the snow, we found Oates' sleeping-bag, which they had 

 brought along with them after he had left. 



The next day we proceeded thirteen more miles south, hoping 

 and searching to find his body. When we arrived at the place 

 where he had left them, we saw that there was no chance of 

 doing so. The kindly snow had covered his body, giving him a 

 fitting burial. Here, again, as near to the site of the death as we 

 could judge, we built another cairn to his memory, and placed 

 thereon a small cross and the following record: ' Hereabouts 

 died a very gallant gentleman, Captain L. E. G. Oates of the 

 Inniskilling Dragoons. In March 1912, returning from the 

 Pole, he walked willingly to his death in a blizzard, to try and 

 save his comrades, beset by hardships. This note is left by the 

 relief Expedition of 1912.' 



It was signed by Cherry and myself. 



