THE SCOUT SPIRIT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 73, 18 December 1937, Page 9

THE SCOUT SPIRIT

"LITTLE JOHN."

Dear Scouts, — I have not had a word with you for some time. Here is something Avhich I hope Avill make yofi think. I haA-e been reading a story of Scott's last expedition to the South Pole, called "The Worst Journey in the World," by A. Cherry-Gerrard. It is most exciting reading. The terrible hardships these splendid men went through are vividJy brought before you, and their courage and "stickability" make one feel hoAV soft most of us are. I want to quote a passage which I think sums up the qualities these men possessed. After a tcrtible journey by three of the party during Avinter months with the teffiperature sometimes 50 degi'ces below zoro, in most fearful storms, they JiaJ practically given up hope of returning to their base alive, Cherry-Gerrard Avrites as folloAvs : — They Avere practically asleep as they pulled at their sledges and to keep himself awalut Clierry-Ger-rard kept repeating these w"ords to himself : "You've got in the neck, stick. it. You've got ln the neck, stick it." Then he says, "We did stick it. Hoav good tlie memories of those days are. With fokes about Birdie's picture hat; Avith songs we remembered off the .gramophone ; with ready words of sympathy for frost bitten feet; with generous smiles for poor jokes ; witn suggestion of happy beds to come. We did not forget the please and thank you, which mean so much in such circumstanoes, and all the little links with decent civilisation which we could still keep going. I'll swear there Avas still a grave about us as Ave staggered in. And avo kept our tempers— even with God." Here, it seems to me, Ave have a glorious illustration of what our Chief means when he speaks of Scout Spirit. But how ashamed it makes one feel when Ave think how we grouse and aa'hine and blame others in this life of luxury, when things go Ivrone. — Cheerio.