SCOTT FROSTBITTEN 
593 
unendingly cheerful, but we are all on the verge of serious 
frostbites, and though we constantly talk of fetching 
through I don't think any one of us believes it in his heart. 
We are cold on the march now, and at all times except 
meals. Yesterday we had to lay up for a blizzard and 
to-day we move dreadfully slowly. We are at No. 14 
pony camp, only two pony marches from One Ton Depot. 
We leave here our theodolite, a camera, and Oates' sleeping- 
bags. Diaries, &c, and geological specimens carried at 
Wilson's special request, will be found with us or on our 
sledge. 
Sunday, March 18. — To-day, lunch, we are 21 miles 
from the depot. Ill fortune presses, but better may come. 
We have had more wind and drift from ahead yesterday ; 
had to stop marching; wind N.W., force 4, temp. -35 0 . 
No human being could face it, and we are worn out nearly. 
My right foot has gone, nearly all the toes — two days 
ago I was proud possessor of best feet. These are the 
steps of my downfall. Like an ass I mixed a small 
spoonful of curry powder with my melted pemmican 
— it gave me violent indigestion. I lay awake and in 
pain all night ; woke and felt done on the march ; foot 
went and I didn't know it. A very small measure of 
neglect and have a foot which is not pleasant to con- 
template. Bowers takes first place in condition, but 
there is not much to choose after all. The others are 
still confident of getting through — or pretend to be — I 
don't know ! We have the last half fill of oil in our 
primus and a very small quantity of spirit — this alone 
between us and thirst. The wind is fair for the moment, 
vol. I. e q 
