eleven miles in a S.W. direction.  We were south of Mount Darwin in 85 deg. 7’ S., and our corrected altitude proved to be 7000 feet above the Barrier.  I worked up till a very late hour getting the depot stores ready, and also weighing out and arranging allowances for the returning party, and arranging the stores and distribution of weights of the two parties going on.  The temperature was down to zero to-day, the lowest it has been for some time this summer weather."[244]

“There is a very mournful air to-night—­those going on and those turning back.  Bill came in while I was cooking, to say good-bye.  He told me he fully expected to come back with the next party:  that he could see Scott was going to take on the strongest fellows, perhaps three seamen.  It would be a great disappointment if Bill did not go on."[245]

We gave away any gear which we could spare to those going on, and I find the following in my diary: 

“I have been trying to give away my spare gear where it may be most acceptable:  finnesko to Birdie, pyjama trousers to Bill, and a bag of baccy for Bill to give Scott on Christmas Day, some baccy to Titus, jaeger socks and half my scarf to Crean, and a bit of handkerchief to Birdie.  Very tired to-night.”

Scott wrote:  “We are struggling on, considering all things against odds.  The weather is a constant anxiety, otherwise arrangements are working exactly as planned.

“Here we are practically on the summit and up to date in the provision line.  We ought to get through."[246]

FOOTNOTES: 

   [221] My own diary.

   [222] My own diary.

   [223] Bowers.

   [224] Scott.

   [225] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 497.

   [226] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 499.

   [227] Bowers.

   [228] My own diary.

   [229] Ibid.

   [230] Bowers.

   [231] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 506.

   [232] My own diary.

   [233] Ibid.

   [234] Bowers.

   [235] See p. 332.

   [236] Bowers.

   [237] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 509.

   [238] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 510.

   [239] My own diary.

   [240] My own diary.

   [241] Bowers.

   [242] My own diary.

   [243] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 511-512.

   [244] Bowers.

   [245] My own diary.

   [246] Scott’s Last Expedition, vol. i. p. 513.

CHAPTER XI

THE POLAR JOURNEY (continued)