CHAPTER LXIV 
CAPTAIN SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
The End 
Scott and his companions could now easily reach their 
goal. On the 4th January they were 10,280 ft. above the 
sea, the soft snow giving them very heavy work. They 
were still ascending slightly, reaching 10,320 ft. on the 
5th, on the 6th 10,470 ft., and on the 7th 10,570 ft. 
"It is quite impossible," wrote Scott, "to speak too highly of my 
companions. Wilson ever on the look-out to alleviate the small pains 
and troubles incidental to the work, ever thinking of some fresh 
expedient to help the camp life, tough as steel on the traces, never 
wavering from start to finish. Evans a giant worker with a really 
remarkable head-piece. It is only now I realize how much has been 
due to him. Little Bowers remains a marvel— he is thoroughly 
enjoying himself. He has not made a single mistake in making up the 
depots, and at all times knows exactly how we stand. Nothing comes 
amiss to him, and no work is too hard.^ Oates goes hard the whole 
time, and does his share of camp work." 
The highest point had now been passed and they were 
descending again. On the 15th at 89 0 26' 57" S. the 
height was only 9920 ft. On the 16th, still descending, 
they were in 89 0 42' S. Scott had been for some time 
apprehensive of the possibility of the Norwegian expedi- 
tion under Amundsen having forestalled them. The doubt 
was now to resolve itself into certainty. In the afternoon 
march Bowers' keen eyes detected an unusual object in 
the distance, which proved to be a black flag tied to a 
sledge-bearer. Around were the remains of a camp and 
tracks of men and dogs, and it was only too evident that 
the Norwegians had succeeded in their endeavour. Two 
days later Scott's party arrived at the tent left by 
Amundsen, and found his record dated December 16th, 
just a month previously. It was a terrible disappointment 
and no doubt was not without its depressing effect on 
their spirits on the homeward journey. The weather, 
moreover, was of an unusually trying character, a strong 
