498 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
the most strenuous part of the Expedition was over. 
This may sound strange, but the fitting out was carried 
on under such extraordinary conditions that we never 
knew whether the most trivial alteration could be permitted 
owing to the state of our finances. 
During the year of preparation the -personnel was 
chosen. We had something like eight thousand volunteers 
to select from, and, as one of the leading daily papers * 
stated, 'AH sorts and conditions of men seem to have 
been imbued with a desire to earn Polar glory.' One 
man wrote that although he was a foreigner he was quite 
willing to become a British subject if Captain Scott would 
find him a berth. Of the fortunate men who were finally 
selected one may read elsewhere in this book, but there 
were naturally very many crowded out who were fit 
persons to have accompanied the Expedition. 
One of these was Captain Ninnis, an enthusiast who 
would have been selected had not Captain L. E. G. Oates 
already been chosen. It will be remembered that he 
lost his life in the Mawson Expedition after proving 
himself to be eminently suitable for Polar work. 
But even the eight thousand volunteers were disposed 
of eventually and the appointments made. The final 
selection was a happy one, and a vast amount of trouble 
was taken over this important matter. 
The outward voyage of the Terra Nova hardened 
the men and taught them a good deal. Lifelong friend- 
ships were commenced, and the ship routine gave great 
opportunities for learning the characters and abilities 
* The Standard, Sept. 17, 1909- 
