43o 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
[October 
days and a night is good going — about as good as 
can be. 
I have had to tell Clissold that he cannot go out with 
the Motor Party, to his great disappointment. He 
improves very steadily, however, and I trust will be fit 
before we leave with the ponies. Hooper replaces him 
with the motors. I am kept very busy writing and 
preparing details. 
We have had two days of northerly wind, a very 
unusual occurrence ; yesterday it was blowing S.E., force 8, 
temp. -1 6°, whilst here the wind was north, force 4, 
temp. -6°. This continued for some hours — a curious 
meteorological combination. We are pretty certain of a 
southerly blizzard to follow, I should think. 
Wednesday, October 18. — The southerly blizzard has 
burst on us. The air is thick with snow. 
A close investigation of the motor axle case shows that 
repair is possible. It looks as though a good strong job 
could be made of it. Yesterday Taylor and Debcnham 
went to Cape Royds with the object of staying a night 
or two. 
Sunday^ October 22. — The motor axle case was com- 
pleted by Thursday morning, and, as far as one can see, 
Day made a very excellent job of it. Since that the Motor 
Party has been steadily preparing for its departure. 
To-day everything is ready. The loads are ranged on the 
sea ice, the motors are having a trial run, and, all remaining 
well with the weather, the party will get away to-morrow. 
Meares and Demetri came down on Thursday through 
the last of the blizzard. At one time they were running 
