with Teddy Evans, Crean and Lashly. Teddy was frightfully cut up at
not going to the Pole, he had set his heart on it so.

"I am afraid it was a very great disappointment to him, and I felt
very sorry about it. Poor Teddy, I am sure it was for his wife's sake
he wanted to go. He gave me a little silk flag she had given him to
fly on the Pole. After so little sleep the previous night I rather
dreaded the march.

"We gave our various notes, messages, and letters to the returning
party and started off. They accompanied us for about a mile before
turning, to see that all was going on well.

"Our party was on ski with the exception of myself. I first made fast
to the central span, but afterwards connected up to the bow of the
sledge, pulling in the centre between the inner ends of Captain
Scott's and Dr. Wilson's traces.

"This was found to be the best place, as I had to go my own step.
Teddy and party gave us three cheers and Crean was half in tears. They
had a featherweight sledge to go back with, of course, and ought to
run down their distance easily.

"We found we could manage our load easily, and did 6.3 miles before
lunch, completing 12.5 by 7.15 p.m. Our marching hours are nine per
day. It is a long slog with a well-loaded sledge, and more tiring for
me than the others as I have no ski. However, as long as I can do my
share all day and keep fit, it does not matter much one way or the
other.