Wright and I started for Hut Point by 2 P.M. the same day and on our arrival it was decided by Atkinson that I was to take out the dogs.  Owing to the early departure of our meteorologist, Simpson, Wright, who had special qualifications for this important work, was to remain at Cape Evans.  Dimitri having rested his dog-team overnight at Cape Evans arrived at Hut Point on the morning of the 24th.

Now the daily distance which every 4-man party had to average from Hut Point to its turning-point and back to Hut Point, so as to be on full rations all the way, was only 8.4 geographical miles.  From Hut Point to the latitude in which he was last seen, 87 deg. 32’ S., Scott had averaged more than ten geographical miles a day.

Taking into consideration the advanced latitude, 87 deg. 32’ S., at which the Second Return Party had left Scott, and the extremely good daily averages these two parties had marched on the plateau up to this point, namely 12.3 geographical miles a day; seeing also that the First Return Party had averaged 14.2 geographical miles on their return from 85 deg. 3’ S. to One Ton Depot; and the Second Return Party had averaged 11.2 geographical miles on their return from 87 deg. 32’ S. to the same place, although one of the three men was seriously ill; it was supposed that all the previous estimates made for the return of the Polar Party were too late, and that the opportunity to reach One Ton Camp before them had been lost.  Meanwhile the full rations for their return over the 140 miles (statute) from One Ton to Hut Point were still at Hut Point.

My orders were given me by Atkinson, and were verbal, as follows: 

    1.  To take 24 days’ food for the two men, and 21
    days’ food for the two dog-teams, together with the food
    for the Polar Party.

    2.  To travel to One Ton Depot as fast as possible and
    leave the food there.

    3.  If Scott had not arrived at One Ton Depot before
    me I was to judge what to do.

    4.  That Scott was not in any way dependent on the
    dogs for his return.

    5.  That Scott had given particular instructions that the
    dogs were not to be risked in view of the sledging plans
    for next season.

Since it had proved impossible to take the depot of dog-food, together with the full Polar Party rations, to One Ton before this; considering the unforeseen circumstances which had arisen; and seeing that this journey of the dog-teams was not indispensable, being simply meant to bring the last party home more speedily, I do not believe that better instructions could have been given than these of Atkinson.

I was eager to start as soon as the team which had come back from Cape Evans was rested, but a blizzard prevented this.  On the morning of the 25th it was thick as a hedge, but it cleared enough to pack sledges in the afternoon, and when we turned into our bags we could see Observation Hill.  We started at 2 A.M. that night.