“Wednesday, March 21. Got within 11 miles of depot Monday night; had to lay up all yesterday in severe blizzard.  To-day forlorn hope, Wilson and Bowers going to depot for fuel.”

“22 and 23. Blizzard bad as ever—­Wilson and Bowers unable to start—­to-morrow last chance—­no fuel and only one or two of food left—­must be near the end.  Have decided it shall be natural—­we shall march for the depot with or without our effects and die in our tracks.”

“Thursday, March 29. Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W. and S.W.  We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days on the 20th.  Every day we have been ready to start for our depot 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift.  I do not think we can hope for any better things now.  We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.

“It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.

    R. SCOTT.”

Last entry. “For God’s sake, look after our people.”

The following extracts are from letters written by Scott: 

To Mrs. E. A. Wilson

MY DEAR MRS. WILSON.  If this letter reaches you, Bill and I will have gone out together.  We are very near it now and I should like you to know how splendid he was at the end—­everlastingly cheerful and ready to sacrifice himself for others, never a word of blame to me for leading him into this mess.  He is not suffering, luckily, at least only minor discomforts.

His eyes have a comfortable blue look of hope and his mind is peaceful with the satisfaction of his faith in regarding himself as part of the great scheme of the Almighty.  I can do no more to comfort you than to tell you that he died as he lived, a brave, true man—­the best of comrades and staunchest of friends.

My whole heart goes out to you in pity.  Yours,

    R. SCOTT.

To Mrs. Bowers

MY DEAR MRS. BOWERS.  I am afraid this will reach you after one of the heaviest blows of your life.

I write when we are very near the end of our journey, and I am finishing it in company with two gallant, noble gentlemen.  One of these is your son.  He had come to be one of my closest and soundest friends, and I appreciate his wonderful upright nature, his ability and energy.  As the troubles have thickened his dauntless spirit ever shone brighter and he has remained cheerful, hopeful and indomitable to the end....

To Sir J. M. Barrie

MY DEAR BARRIE.  We are pegging out in a very comfortless spot.  Hoping this letter may be found and sent to you, I write a word of farewell ...  Good-bye.  I am not at all afraid of the end, but sad to miss many a humble pleasure which I had planned for the future on our long marches.  I may not have proved a great explorer, but we have done the greatest march ever made and come very near to great success.  Good-bye, my dear friend.  Yours ever,