(From Scott's Last Expedition, Vol. 1)

"WILSON.--Quick, careful and dexterous, ever thinking of some fresh
expedient to help the camp life; tough as steel on the traces, never
wavering from start to finish.

"PETTY OFFICER EVANS.--A giant worker, with a really remarkable
headpiece--he is responsible for every sledge, every sledge-fitting,
tents, sleeping-bags, harness, and when one cannot recall a single
expression of dissatisfaction with any one of these items, it shows
what an invaluable assistant he has been....

"BOWERS.--Little Bowers remains a marvel--he is thoroughly enjoying
himself. I leave all the provision arrangements in his hands, and at
all times he knows exactly how we stand ... Nothing comes amiss to
him, and no work is too hard....

"OATES.--Each is invaluable. Oates had his invaluable period with the
ponies: now he is a foot slogger and goes hard the whole time, does
his share of camp work and stands the hardships as well as any of us.
I would not like to be without him either. So our five people are
perhaps as happily selected as it is possible to imagine."

Certainly no living man could have taken Scott's place effectively as
leader of our Expedition--there was none other like him. He was the
Heart, Brain, and Master.

On January 11 just the slightest descent had been made, the height up
being now 10,540 ft., but it will be noticed that they were then getting
temperatures as low as 26 degrees below zero: my party on that date got