192 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[March 
it was the last effort. We camped, built a snow wall 
round him, and did all we possibly could to get him on his 
feet. Every effort was fruitless, though the poor thing 
made pitiful struggles. Towards midnight we propped 
him up as comfortably as we could and went to bed. 
Wednesday, March 1, a.m. — Our pony died in the 
night. It is hard to have got him back so far only for 
this. It is clear that these blizzards are terrible for the 
poor animals. Their coats are not good, but even with 
the best of coats it is certain they would lose condition 
badly if caught in one, and we cannot afford to lose 
condition at the beginning of a journey. It makes a late 
start necessary for next year. 
Well, we have done our best and bought our experience 
at a heavy cost. Now every effort must be bent on saving 
the remaining animals, and it will be good luck if we get 
four back to Cape Evans, or even three. Jimmy Pigg 
may have fared badly ; Bowers' big pony is in a bad way 
after that frightful blizzard. I cannot remember such 
a bad storm in February or March : the temperature 
was - 7 0 . 
Bowers Incident 
I note the events of the night of March 1 whilst they 
are yet fresh in my memory. 
Thursday ; March 2, a.m. — The events of the past 
48 hours bid fair to wreck the expedition, and the only one 
comfort is the miraculous avoidance of loss of life. We 
turned out early yesterday, Oates, Gran, and I, after the 
dismal night of our pony's death, and pulled towards the 
