about us. We are weak, writing is difficult, but for my own sake
I do not regret this journey, which has 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 cause for complaint, but bow to
the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. But
if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is
for the honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that
those who depend on us are properly cared for.

Had we lived, I should have 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 the tale, but surely, surely a great rich country like ours will see
that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.

(Signed) R. SCOTT.

This chapter would be incomplete without Wilson's own beautiful lines
from the "South Polar Times";

THE BARRIER SILENCE

The Silence was deep with a breath like sleep
As our sledge runner slid on the snow,
And the fateful fall of our fur-clad feet
Struck mute like a silent blow.
On a questioning "hush," as the settling crust
Shrank shivering over the floe;
And the sledge in its track sent a whisper back
Which was lost in a white-fog bow.
And this was the thought that the Silence wrought
As it scorched and froze us through,
Though secrets hidden are all forbidden
Till God means man to know.
We might be the men God meant should know
The heart of the Barrier snow,
In the heat of the sun, and the glow
And the glare from the glistening floe,
As it scorched and froze us through and through
With the bite of the drifting snow.

CHAPTER XVII

THE SECOND WINTER--FINDING OF THE POLAR PARTY

The foregoing story of triumph and disaster going hand in hand to Scott
dwarfed the remaining chapters of the Expedition's history into
insignificance. I venture, however, to give a resume of what was
happening elsewhere in this region at the time.

The Norwegian explorers commenced their trip homeward to Framheim in the
Bay of Whales, a distance of 870 English miles, on December 17, 1911 and
made the amazing marching average of 22 1/2 miles a day for this
distance.

On January 25, 1912