4th February 1912.

Started in splendid weather, but the surface was bad and dragging was very heavy, but it improved as the day went on, and we arrived at the depot at 7.40 P.M.  We are now 180 miles from Hut Point, and this Sunday night we hope to be only two more Sundays on the Barrier.  No improvement in Mr. Evans, much worse.  We have taken out our food and left nearly all the pemmican as we dont require it on account of none of us caring for it, therefore we are leaving it behind for the others.  They may require it.  We have left our note and wished them every success on their way, but we have decided it is best not to say anything about Mr. Evans being ill or suffering from scurvy.  This old cairn have stood the weather and is still a huge thing.

    5th February 1912.

Had a very fine day and a good light all day, which makes things much more cheerful.  Did not get away before 9 o’clock but we did 111/2 miles, it is gradually getting colder.  Mr. Evans is still getting worse, to-day he is suffering from looseness in the bowels:  shall have to stop his pemmican.

    6th February 1912.

Another fine day but sun was very hot and caused us to sweat a good deal, but we dont mind as we are pretty used to such changes.  We shall soon be looking for land ahead, which will be Mt.  Discovery or Mt.  Erebus, we have 155 miles to go to Hut Point:  done alright again 131/2 miles, we do wonderfully well especially as Mr. Evans have got to go very slowly first off after stopping until he gets the stiffness out of his legs, but he is suffering a good deal and in silence, he never complains, but he dont get much sleep.  We shall all be glad when we arrive at One Ton, where there is a change of food for us all.  The pemmican is too much, especially when the weather is warm.

    7th February 1912.

A very fine day but heavy going.  We are bringing the land in sight.  The day have been simply lovely, did 12 miles.  No better luck with our patient, he gets along without a murmur.  We have got to help him in and out of the tent, but we have consulted on the matter and he is determined to go to the last, which we know is not far off, as it is difficult for him to stand, but he is the essence of a brick to keep it up, but we shall have to drag him on the sledge when he cant go any further.

    8th February 1912.

To-day have been very favourable and fine, we had a good breeze and set sail after lunch.  If we get a good day to-morrow we hope to reach One Ton.  Mr. Evans have passed a good deal of blood to-day, which makes things look a lot worse.  I have to do nearly everything for him now.

    9th February 1912.

A very fine day and quite warm.  Reached the depot at 5.5 P.M. and we all had a good feed of oatmeal.  Oh, what a God-send to get a change of food!  We have taken enough food for 9 days, which if we still keep up our present rate of progress it ought to take us in to Hut Point.  We cannot take too heavy a load, as there is only the two of us pulling now, and this our last port of call before we reach Hut Point, but things are not looking any too favourable for us, as our leader is gradually getting lower every day.  It is almost impossible for him to get along, and we are still 120 miles from Hut Point.