3rd January 1912.

Very heavy going to-day.  This will be our last night together, as we are to return to-morrow after going on in the forenoon with the party chosen for the Pole, that is Capt.  Scott, Dr. Wilson, Capt.  Oates, Lieut.  Bowers and Taff Evans.  The Captain said he was satisfied we were all in good condition, fit to do the journey, but only so many could go on, so it was his wish Mr. Evans, Crean and myself should return.  He was quite aware we should have a very stiff job, but we told him we did not mind that, providing he thought they could reach the Pole with the assistance we had been able to give them.  The first time I have heard we were having mules coming down to assist us next year.  I was offering to remain at Hut Point, to be there if any help was needed, but the Captain said it was his and also Capt.  Oates’ wish if the mules arrived I was to take charge of and look after them until their return; but if they did not arrive there was no reason why I should not come to Hut Point and wait their return.  We had a long talk with the owner [Scott] in our tent about things in general and he seemed pretty confident of success.  He seemed a bit afraid of us getting hung up, but as he said we had a splendid navigator, who he was sure he could trust to pull us through.  He also thanked us all heartily for the way we had assisted in the Journey and he should be sorry when we parted.  We are of course taking the mail, but what a time before we get back to send it.  We are nearly as far as Shackleton was on his Journey.  I shall not write more to-night, it is too cold.

    4th January 1912.

We accompanied the Pole party for about five miles and everything seemed to be going pretty well and Capt.  Scott said they felt confident they could pull the load quite well, so there was no more need for us to go on farther; so we stopped and did all the talking we could in a short time.  We wished them every success and a safe return, and asked each one if there was anything we could do for them when we got back, but they were all satisfied they had left nothing undone, so the time came for the last handshake and good-bye.  I think we all felt it very much.  They then wished us a speedy return and safe, and then they moved off.  We gave them three cheers, and watched them for a while until we began to feel cold.  Then we turned and started for home.  We soon lost sight of each other.  We travelled a long time so as to make the best of it while the weather was suitable, as we have to keep up a good pace on the food allowance.  It wont do to lay up much.  One thing since we left Mt.  Darwin, we have had weather we could travel in, although we have not seen the sun much of late.  We did 13 miles as near as we can guess by the cairns we have passed.  We have not got a sledge meter so shall have to go by guess all the way home.

[Owing to the loss of a sledge meter on the Beardmore Glacier one of the three parties had to return without one.  A sledge meter gives the navigator his dead reckoning, indicating the miles travelled, like the log of a ship.  To be deprived of it in a wilderness of snow without landmarks adds enormously to the difficulties and anxieties of a sledge party.]