Evans, when absolutely out of food and he lay insensible, the safety of the remainder seemed to demand his abandonment, but Providence mercifully removed him at this critical moment. He died a natural death, and we did not leave him till two hours after his death.

Wednesday, March 21. - Got within 11 miles of depôt Monday night; had to lay up all yesterday in severe blizzard. To-day forlorn hope, Wilson and Bowers going to depôt for fuel.

Thursday, March 22 and 23. - Blizzard bad as everWilson and Bowers unable to start to-morrow last

no fuel and only one or two

chance of food left must be near the end. Have decided it shall be natural we shall march for the depôt with or without our effects and die in our tracks.

Message to the Public. - For four days we have been unable to leave the tent - the gale howling 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 honor 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,

1 The sixtieth camp from the Pole.

but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.

R. SCOTT

(From Scott's Last Expedition, reprinted from Volume One by permission of the publishers, Dodd, Mead and Company)

INVICTUS

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced or cried aloud;
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the horror of the shade;
And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

W. E. HENLEY

XII

O'ER THE STEEPS TO THE STARS

BEFORE the temple of Excellence the immortal gods have placed labor; and the way to it is long and steep, and at the commencement rough; but when the traveler has arrived at the summit, it then becomes easy, however difficult it was at first.

HESIOD

When the fight begins within himself,
A man's worth something.

ROBERT BROWNING

Victor from vanquished issues at the last,
And overthrower from being overthrown.

ALFRED TENNYSON

HILLS

I NEVER loved your plains,
Your gentle valleys,
Your drowsy country lanes
And pleached alleys.
I want my hills! the trail
That scorns the hollow.
Up, up the ragged shale
Where few will follow,

Up, over wooded crest
And mossy boulder

With strong thigh, heaving chest,

And swinging shoulder,

So let me hold my way,

By nothing halted,
Until, at close of day,

I stand, exalted,

High on my hills of dream

Dear hills that know me!
And then, how fair will seem
The lands below me;

How pure, at vesper-time,
The far bells chiming!

God, give me hills to climb,

And strength for climbing!

ARTHUR GUITERMAN

(From The Mirthful Lyre, Harper and Brothers)