THE LAST TO CROSS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1729, 21 April 1913, Page 7

THE LAST TO CROSS.

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S DEATH, STATEMENT BY LIEUTENANT BRUCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyrliki London, April 18. Lieutenant Bruce, Lady Scott's brother, says that Captain Scott lived two days after his companions' deaths. In his statement, lieutenant Bruce adds:—"The shortage of stores in the depots only concerned the oil fuel, which had evaporated owing to deterioration of tho rubber washers'through - the textreme. cold." '• ' " '

Records reoovered by the search party showed that when the members sickened Captain Scott held out the "longest, and nursed his companions as long as lie was able, and kept a diary till tho last. In his memorable message to tho nation, Captain Scott , wrote:—" . . . We arrived within eleven miles of our old One Ton Camp with fuel for ono hot meal and food for two days. ' For four days we have beon unable to leave the tent. The gale is blowing about us.' We are weak, and writing is difficult. But, for my own sake, I do not regret this journey, which lias shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks; we knew we took them. Things have come out against us, and therefore we have no causa for plaint, but bow to tho Will of Providence, determined still to do our best to tho last; but if Iwe have beon willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for tho honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to seo that those who depend 1 on lis are properly cared for. Had wo lived I should nave had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions, which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes, and our dead bodies, must tell tho tale. . .—R. Scott, 25th March; 1912."