416 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[OCTOBKK 
or better sledge travellers ever took the trail. Bowers 
is a little wonder. I realised all that he must have done 
for the C. Crozier Party in their far severer experience. 
In spite of the late hour of our return everyone was soon 
afoot, and I learned the news at once. E. R. Evans, Gran, 
and Fovdc had returned from the Corner Camp journey 
the day after we left. They were away six nights, four 
spent on the Barrier under very severe conditions — the 
minimum for one night registered - 73 0 . 
I am glad to find that Corner Camp showed up well ; 
in fact, in more than one place remains of last year's 
pony walls were seen. This removes all anxiety as to 
the chance of finding the One Ton Camp. 
On this journey Forde got his hand badly frostbitten. 
I am annoyed at this, as it argues want of care ; moreover 
there is a good chance that the tip of one of the fingers 
will be lost, and if this happens or if the hand is slow in 
recovery, Forde cannot take part in the Western Party. 
I have no one to replace him. 
E. R. Evans looks remarkably well, as also Gran. 
The ponies look very well and all are reported to be 
very buckish. 
Wednesday, October 3.— We have had a very bad 
weather spell. Friday, the day after we returned, was 
gloriously fine— it might have been a December day, and 
an inexperienced visitor might have wondered why on 
earth we had not started to the South. Saturday supplied 
a reason ; the wind blew cold and cheerless ; on Sunday 
it grew worse, with very thick snow, which continued to 
fall and drift throughout the whole of Monday. The 
