ch. lxiv] Scotfs Last Expedition 503 
generation. When found by the search party Wilson and 
Bowers lay with their sleeping-bags closed over their 
heads, in the attitude of sleep. Scott had died later. 
The flaps of his sleeping-bag were thrown back. The 
little wallet containing his note-books was under his 
shoulder, and one arm was flung across Wilson's body. 
The search party, led by Dr Atkinson, started on the 
30th of October, 1912. The excellent mules had arrived 
on board the Terra Nova in the spring. Seven mules and 
eight men set out from Hut Point, with Wright in 
command, two dog teams following with Dr Atkinson, 
Cherry Garrard, and Demetri 1 . 
On the morning of the 12th November, 1912, they 
found the tent. It was pitched well and had withstood 
the furious gales. Each man recognised the bodies. All 
their gear was recovered, and the sledge was dug out with 
their belongings and the precious fossils. Then the bodies 
were covered with the outer tent and the burial service 
was read. A mighty cairn was built above them, and it 
was surmounted by a cross made out of two skis. On 
either side two sledges were up-ended and fixed firmly in 
the snow. Between the eastern sledge and the cairn a 
bamboo was placed containing a metal cylinder and the 
following inscription : — 
This cross and cairn were erected over the bodies of Captain Scott, R.N,, 
Dr Wilson, M.B., and Lieut. Bowers, R.LM. a slight token to perpetuate 
their successful and gallant attempt to reach the Pole. This they did 
on January 17th, 1912. Inclement weather with lack of fuel was the 
cause of their death. Also to commemorate their two gallant comrades, 
Captain Oates of the Inniskilling Dragoons, who walked to his death 
to save his comrades about eighteen miles south of this position ; and 
Seaman Edgar Evans, who died at the foot of the glacier. 
"The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of 
the Lord." 
It was signed by all the members of the party. They 
then marched south to search for the body of Captain 
Oates; but "the kindly snow had covered the body, 
giving it a fitting burial." Here, as near the site as they 
could judge, they built another cairn to his memory, 
placing on it a small cross and the following record: — 
1 Atkinson, Wright, Cherry Garrard, Gran, Lashly, Crean, Williamson, 
Nelson, Archer, Hooper, Keohane, and Demetri, formed the search party. 
