19X2] END OF THE SUMMIT JOURNEY 563 
factory ending. First panic, certainty that biscuit-box 
was short. Great doubt as to how this has come about, 
as we certainly haven't over-issued allowances. Bowers 
is dreadfully disturbed about it. The shortage is a full 
day's allowance. We started our march at 8.30, and 
travelled down slopes and over terraces covered with hard 
sastrugi — very tiresome work — and the land didn't seem 
to come any nearer. At lunch the wind increased, and 
what with hot tea and good food, we started the after- 
noon in a better frame of mind, and it soon became 
obvious we were nearing our mark. Soon after 6.30 we 
saw our depot easily and camped next it at 7.30. 
Found note from E. Evans to say the second return 
party passed through safely at 2.30 on January 14 — half 
a day longer between depots than we have been. 
The temperature is higher, but there is a cold wind 
to-night. 
Well, we have come through our 7 weeks' ice camp 
journey and most of us are fit, but I think another week 
might have had a very bad effect on P.O. Evans, who is 
going steadily downhill. 
It is satisfactory to recall that these facts give absolute 
proof of both expeditions having reached the Pole and 
placed the question of priority beyond discussion. 
Thursday, February 8. — R. 22. Height 6260. Start 
Temp. -n°; Lunch Temp. -5 0 ; Supper, zero. 9*2 miles. 
Started from the depot rather late owing to weighing 
biscuit, &c, and rearranging matters. Had a beastly 
morning. Wind very strong and cold. Steered in for 
Mt. Darwin to visit rock. Sent Bowers on, on ski, as 
2 o 2 
