SCOTT'S STORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1835, 22 August 1913, Page 7

SCOTT'S STORY.

OF HIS FATEFUL MARCH.

INEXORABLE WEATHER. and extraordinary tasks. ) By Tclecraph—Press Association—Copyrielit (Kec. August 21, 10.10 p.m.) London, August 21. With the breakdown of the motorsledges, tho ponies received tho full load of tho party's equipment early iu tho journey, and responded splendidly. The weather improved as they left the windy northern regions. Ono Ton Camp was (reached on November 15, and after this the weather became bad, a fine day being exceptional. The ponies grew very tired by December 1, when the weakest was killed. Their duties were to draw tho supplies across tho barrier, as long as the voyage lasted, and finally to provide food fcr the dogs. "Our luck in weather," says Scott at tho time, "is preposterous. It is really time our luck clianged. One has a horrid feeling that tliis is going to bo a real bad season.". Gateway of the Glacier. Prom tho gateway of the Glacier came ominous wind puffs, followed by a howling, raining blizzard for four days, until December 8. The temperature meanwhile was so high that the snow melted as it fell, and soaked tents, olottes, and sleep-ing-bags. For twelve miles of the Glacier they had to use rations which had been calculated to carry them forward from a more advanced depot. "The rations' margin for bad weather was ample, according to tho usual calculations," pays Scott, "but this stormy December was a thing that the most cautions organiser might not have prepared to encounter.

■ "Petty Officer Evans managed to save the situation by fitting a pony with snowshoes,"and enabling it to form a track, for thie others, so that wo moved forward through the soft snow. Tho forage, however, was already spent,, and at Shambles damp; a mile below the Glaoier's gateway, the beasts wore shot. It was hard to have to kill them so early. One Week Behind Time. ■ "On December 10 the first stage of the 421 miles over the banner ice ended, and on the fortieth day out, one week behind ouir scheduled time, tho second stage of the ascent of the Glacier began. This occupied twelve days of strenuous exertion. Tljle surface was appalling. We sunk in places to ouir knees. Evans's party found it difficult to keep up, but I wag never' fitter. My party was easily ablo to hold its own. Petty Officer Evans was n tower of strength. Dr. Wilson and Captain Oates arc doing 'splendidly. Hereabouts, Shackleton found hard bluo ice. It seems extraordinary. Tho difference between my bad fortune and Shackleton's luck becomes more evident." Cont.iiim.ing. liis story, Scott relates that ono of tho teams lhad a man hampered by a touch' of snow blindness. His own team got bogged frequently. "Tho toil is simply awful," ho says. "Indigestion and wet clothes in camp, after such labours, produced a bad night." The party got rid of tho soft enow on December U, and thereafter had splendid marches. "Everyone is fit, exoept poor Wilson, whose eyes aro veTy bad. The Final Selection. • "I have told off those who are to .return. I have dreaded 'the necessity for choosing. I liad calculated to start from 85 degrees, with twelve units, of food and eight moil. I expect to be at that point to-morrow, less ono day's food." On December 21 tho party reached the upper basin of the Glacier, and topk an affecting farewell of Atkinson's party. S'cott experienced great difficulties on the plateau, from the rugged surface and . crevasses. The weather was again unkind, whilo the anxiety of pitting effort against time, of measuring hard-wrung end'uiranco against known and unknown tasks, was

almost as wearing as physical fatigue. Huge pressure ridges barreel tiho southward journey. After passing tlfe summit of tho Glacier, Scott observed: "I feel very cbeorful. Tho goal seems really in and I only pray for a fair share of' good weather." December 21 was a glorious day. "The sun shines in a clouxlles3 sky," he writes, "and tho wind rises and falls. About us is a scene of the wililest desolation, but we are cheerful, and to-morrow is Christmas."

On Christmas Day the party had extra rations. ,On the last day of the year the 87th degrco was crossed. There was still much soft snow. On January 3 thay were 150 miles from the goal. "Next day Evans's party return northwards. Evans was terribly, disappointed,, but took it like a man. The • month's provisions Should see us through. If we can march well with a full load, we should be practically safe." '

The remainder of tilio article, described Evans's journey-' northward, wlien ho nearly died of scurvey.

Captain Scott's diary, which is now appearing month by month in tie "Strand Magazine," is also appearing in successive issues of "Life," the proprietors of which (Messrs. Fitchett) purchased the exclusive rights for Australasia.