The Washington herald., 1914-03-22

ing on the final dash that was to ties
the worth of his plans. on which he haC
| risked his all.
First Entry After start.
| 1t is curious 10 note the very first en-
try after the start for the pole: I'VE arc
in slough of despond," admits Scott
1T Is very evil to lie here in we
it. while. with no change in the over.
| cast sky. things go from bad to worse
| To be here watching the notified wet
walls of our tent. the glistening wet
| bamboos. the bedragGled sopping socks
and loose articles dangling in the middle.
the saddened countcnances OF my COM
panions, to hear the everlasting patter-
ing of the falling snow and the ceaseIess
rattle OF the luttering canvas-to feel tho
wet Clinging dampness of clothes and
everything touched. and to know that
without there is but a blank wall of
white on every side-thesc are the physi-
cal SURROUNDINGS. add the stress of
sighted failure OF our whole plan" adds
the captain. and any one must find the
circumstances unenviablc," But YET
and here shines through all the gloom
Scotts superb optimism-"after all, one
can go on striving. endeavoring to find
stimulation in the difficulties that
arise" Here is hope personified,
II Is in fresh manuscript book that
the captain begins his Summit Journey
to the Pole" one fyleaf: ages: Self. 43:
Wilson. %: Evans (POD, 81: Oates. 70:
Bowers. S: average. IS" This was the
little company that. three days before
christmas Day. started out upon their
last journey on earth. DAY after day
as they neared their goal. entries would
be made like the following: GO miles
from the pole. We MUST make il soon
q miles from the pole. We have it
almost in sight" And. finally. came the
fearfully disappointing desolate day, the
10Th OF January. when they saw a black
speck ahead the black speck that was
left by the Amundsen party. the black
flag tied TO sledge bearer that told the
disheartening story that they had been
beaten in their rush to their JOURNEYS
end. that they had been despoiled of the
JOY and glory that were the possession of
another party. Compare the melancholy
entry OF the next day, January Il, with
his usual optimism: THE pole. But
under what different circumstances from
those expected! Great God. this is an
awful place and terrible enough for us
TO have labored to without the reward of
priority" We'll" soIiIoquizcs the can
tain after supper, well, it is something
TO have got here. We have had a fat
polar hoosh in spite of chagrin''-a
hoosh Is thick camp soup with a basis
OF pemmican-"and feel comfortable in
n small stick of chocolate
and the queer taste of cigarette
brought by Wilson. Now for the runl
home and desperate struggle II WON
DER If WE CAN DO IT,
Disasters fell thick and fast on the re-
turn trip. Petty officer Evans death |
threw pail over the little party that
was never lifted. Then came the walk
Of Oates out into THE NIGHT, and the
few days that followed were crowded
with entries of: ''hungrier every day."
horrible night terrible walking;"
gloomy and overcast" desperately
,o!d, and the final words: I'VE are
Getting weaker and the end cannot be
TAR"
The Last Entry.
Eight months later the three tired meni
Tere found dead in their sleeping bags.
scott with his arm across his friend
Wilson's shoulders as IL in a last caress.
rhe death-desiing opium tabloids and
were found on Scott's body
lnused-as the entry before the last said
We decided net to kill ourselves, but to-
ight II out to the last"
n -