SUSPENSE 411 



were not to be risked. Although it was settled that some 

 members of the expedition would stay, while others re- 

 turned to New Zealand, Scott and several of his compan- 

 ions had left undecided until the last moment the question 

 of whether they would themselves remain in the South for 

 another year. In the event of Scott deciding to return home 

 the dog-teams might make the difference between catching 

 or missing the ship. I had discussed this question with 

 Wilson more than once, and he was of opinion that the busi- 

 ness affairs of the expedition demanded Scott's return if 

 possible : Wilson himself inclined to the view that he him- 

 self would stay if Scott stayed, and return if Scott returned. 

 I think that Oates meant to return, and am sure that Bowers 

 meant to stay : indeed he welcomed the idea of one more 

 year in a way which I do not think was equalled by any 

 other member of the expedition. For the most part we felt 

 that we had joined up for two years, but that if there was to 

 be a third year we would rather see the thing through than 

 return home. 



I hope I have made clear that the primary object of this 

 journey with the dog-teams was to hurry Scott and his com- 

 panions home so that they might be in time to catch the 

 ship if possible, before she was compelled by the close 

 of the season to leave McMurdo Sound. Another thing 

 which made Scott anxious to communicate with the ship 

 if possible before the season forced her to leave the Sound 

 was his desire to send back news. From many remarks 

 which he made, and also from the discussions in the hut 

 during the winter, it was obvious that he considered it 

 was of the first importance that the news of reaching the 

 Pole, if it should be reached, be communicated to the 

 world without the delay of another year. Of course he 

 would also wish to send news of the safe return of his party 

 to wives and relations as soon as possible. It is necessary 

 to emphasize the fact that the dog-teams were intended to 

 hasten the return of the Polar Party, but that they were 

 never meant to form a relief journey. 



But now Atkinson was left in a rather difficult position. 

 I note in my diary, after we had reached the hut, that 



