1912] 
FORESTALLED 
543 
It is wonderful to think that two long marches would 
land us at the Pole. We left our depot to-day with nine 
days' provisions, so that it ought to be a certain thing 
now, and the only appalling possibility the sight of the 
Norwegian flag forestalling ours. Little Bowers con- 
tinues his indefatigable efforts to get good sights, and it 
is wonderful how he works them up in his sleeping-bag in 
our congested tent. (Minimum for night - *7'5°0 Only 
27 miles from the Pole. We ought to do it now. 
Tuesday, January 16. — Camp 68. Height 9760. T. 
-23*5°. The worst has happened, or nearly the worst. 
We marched well in the morning and covered 7J miles. 
Noon sight showed us in Lat. 89° 42' S., and wc started 
off in high spirits in the afternoon, feeling that to-morrow 
would see us at our destination. About the second hour 
of the march Bowers' sharp eyes detected what he thought 
was a cairn ; he was uneasy about it, but argued that it 
must be a sastrugus. Half an hour later he detected a 
black speck ahead. Soon wc knew that this could not be 
a natural snow feature. We marched on, found that it 
was a black flag tied to a sledge bearer ; near by the 
remains of a camp ; sledge tracks and ski tracks going 
and coming and the clear trace of dogs' paws — many 
dogs. This told us the whole story. The Norwegians 
have forestalled us and are first at the Pole. It is a 
terrible disappointment, and I am very sorry for my 
loyal companions. Many thoughts come and much 
discussion have we had. To-morrow we must march 
on to the Pole and then hasten home with all the speed 
we can compass. All the day dreams must go ; it will 
