WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:16.000 And now, tonight's presentation of Radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 00:16.000 --> 00:25.440 Tonight, we bring you the true story of five polar explorers and their race against death. 00:25.440 --> 00:27.920 We call it the Diary of Captain Scott. 00:27.920 --> 00:43.600 So now, starring Ben Wright, here is tonight's Suspense play, The Diary of Captain Scott. 00:43.600 --> 00:47.480 Wednesday, January the 18th, 1912. 00:47.480 --> 00:49.440 Camp 69. 00:49.440 --> 00:51.560 Temperature minus 22 degrees. 00:51.560 --> 00:52.560 A.M. 00:52.560 --> 00:54.960 The South Pole. 00:54.960 --> 01:00.200 We have arrived, yes, but under very different circumstances from those expected. 01:00.200 --> 01:02.400 We have had a horrible day. 01:02.400 --> 01:06.400 Elation ran high all morning since we were nearing our goal and thought to be the first 01:06.400 --> 01:08.960 five men to reach the pole. 01:08.960 --> 01:14.760 But our hopes were dashed when Evan sighted a flag and a tent near the spot. 01:14.760 --> 01:18.920 The Norwegians have forestalled us and are first to get here. 01:18.920 --> 01:23.280 In the empty tent, under the name of their leader, Roald Amundsen, were listed the five 01:23.280 --> 01:25.520 men who are with him. 01:25.520 --> 01:29.440 It's a terrible disappointment and I am very sorry for my loyal companions. 01:29.440 --> 01:31.840 Ah, there's no doubt of it now. 01:31.840 --> 01:34.160 They did find an easier way up over the barrier. 01:34.160 --> 01:35.920 We thought as much back at Cape Armitage. 01:35.920 --> 01:38.240 Well, it's a rotten shame, men, and I'm sorry. 01:38.240 --> 01:40.800 Good Lord, Captain Scott, you've done everything you could. 01:40.800 --> 01:42.560 Well, there's more to do. 01:42.560 --> 01:43.560 More for all of us. 01:43.560 --> 01:46.120 Eight hundred miles, as a matter of fact. 01:46.120 --> 01:48.040 Are you ready to start back, Evans? 01:48.040 --> 01:51.640 I can't think of a reason to stay in this miserable place. 01:51.640 --> 01:53.240 Is the sledge ready, Oaks? 01:53.240 --> 01:54.840 It's a bit frozen in, I suppose. 01:54.840 --> 01:55.840 Yes, I imagine. 01:55.840 --> 01:57.120 Wilson, do you vote to start? 01:57.120 --> 01:59.120 The faster, the better, Captain. 01:59.120 --> 02:01.640 Well, Bowers, can you get a sight and start us off on course? 02:01.640 --> 02:04.320 Well, the sky's a bit overcast, but I think so. 02:04.320 --> 02:06.480 Yes, I think I can. 02:06.480 --> 02:08.040 We'll go then as quickly as we can. 02:08.040 --> 02:20.960 A minute saved here will mean a minute more of comfort aboard the ship. 02:20.960 --> 02:25.720 January the 18th, temperature minus 20 p.m. 02:25.720 --> 02:29.080 The moment of departure is here. 02:29.080 --> 02:33.880 It is impossible to collect our thoughts, since few of them are voiced. 02:33.880 --> 02:36.420 But I know that the same are with all of us. 02:36.420 --> 02:41.720 Can we pull the heavy sledge that great distance, eight hundred miles over trackless, windswept 02:41.720 --> 02:43.880 barrier and drift? 02:43.880 --> 02:47.640 Can we find the carefully arranged supply camps we left on our trail? 02:47.640 --> 02:51.480 Can we trust our navigation instruments? 02:51.480 --> 03:01.920 Can we survive? 03:01.920 --> 03:04.880 January the 20th, night camp. 03:04.880 --> 03:08.800 Temperature minus 25.6. 03:08.800 --> 03:13.400 Came along well this afternoon for three hours, then arrived at dreary finish for the last 03:13.400 --> 03:15.400 hour and a half. 03:15.400 --> 03:21.920 Another very curious snow clouds looking very dense and spoiling the light pass overhead 03:21.920 --> 03:28.000 from the south, dropping very minute crystals which absolutely spoil the surface. 03:28.000 --> 03:32.840 We had extremely heavy dragging and were forced to stop when Wilson suddenly discovered that 03:32.840 --> 03:34.800 Evans' nose was frostbitten. 03:34.800 --> 03:38.920 There's no doubt that Evans is a good deal running down. 03:38.920 --> 03:41.040 His face and hands are badly blistered. 03:41.040 --> 03:42.040 Oaks too. 03:42.040 --> 03:46.560 Now Bowers comes into the tent to report his last sighting. 03:46.560 --> 03:49.360 I can't get an accurate one with this sky. 03:49.360 --> 03:50.360 I don't like it. 03:50.360 --> 03:51.360 I don't like it either. 03:51.360 --> 03:52.360 What do you think it means? 03:52.360 --> 03:53.360 The weather's breaking out. 03:53.360 --> 03:54.920 I don't know, Oaks. 03:54.920 --> 03:56.480 How accurate was your sight, Bowers? 03:56.480 --> 03:57.960 I can't be sure. 03:57.960 --> 04:01.080 I should say that if we aren't on our line of march that we're very close. 04:01.080 --> 04:03.120 A few points could be quite important. 04:03.120 --> 04:06.200 I know, but our next camp is no more than seven miles. 04:06.200 --> 04:09.240 Well, that simply means that we're seven miles off schedule. 04:09.240 --> 04:10.600 I'd plan to be there tonight. 04:10.600 --> 04:12.400 I can go on, Captain. 04:12.400 --> 04:13.880 I feel better now. 04:13.880 --> 04:15.040 No, Evans, no. 04:15.040 --> 04:26.720 We'll stay the night and get up early in the morning, but we must have fewer delays. 04:26.720 --> 04:31.760 January the 21st, temperature minus 38.4. 04:31.760 --> 04:37.160 This morning while freeing the sledge from ice, Evans slashed his hand. 04:37.160 --> 04:41.440 I'm afraid the poor chap is in for trouble, as wounds will not close in this cold and 04:41.440 --> 04:46.880 we absolutely cannot spare the time to camp, as our rations are very low, as well as our 04:46.880 --> 04:55.160 fuel. 04:55.160 --> 05:01.280 January 28th, night camp, temperature minus 27. 05:01.280 --> 05:06.040 The miles continue to fall behind us, but with painful slowness. 05:06.040 --> 05:09.760 Our diet and with it our general condition has improved since finding our half degree 05:09.760 --> 05:10.760 supply camp. 05:10.760 --> 05:13.720 Only 42 miles to the next one. 05:13.720 --> 05:16.000 But we are not without ailments. 05:16.000 --> 05:18.480 Oats is suffering from a very cold foot. 05:18.480 --> 05:23.760 Evans' hands and face are in a horrible state, and tonight Wilson is suffering tortures 05:23.760 --> 05:25.080 from snow blindness. 05:25.080 --> 05:29.920 Bowers and I are the only ones without troubles at present. 05:29.920 --> 05:31.320 Wait! 05:31.320 --> 05:33.520 Hold on! 05:33.520 --> 05:38.800 I've got to rest. 05:38.800 --> 05:43.560 Don't try to help, Evans. 05:43.560 --> 05:44.920 Just hold to the sledge. 05:44.920 --> 05:49.480 I wasn't helping, Captain, but I've got to rest anyway. 05:49.480 --> 05:51.240 I get dizzy. 05:51.240 --> 05:52.240 Don't sit down, Evans. 05:52.240 --> 05:53.240 Stay up on your feet. 05:53.240 --> 05:54.240 Can't we put him in his sleeping bag? 05:54.240 --> 05:55.240 Put him on the sledge? 05:55.240 --> 05:56.240 No! 05:56.240 --> 05:57.240 I won't do that. 05:57.240 --> 05:58.240 We can pull him. 05:58.240 --> 05:59.240 I won't do it. 05:59.240 --> 06:00.240 If it's for the good of the rest of us, we'll do it. 06:00.240 --> 06:03.880 No, I'll stay here first. 06:03.880 --> 06:08.880 Then if it's an order. 06:08.880 --> 06:11.520 No, not that kind of an order. 06:11.520 --> 06:14.600 I won't be dragged on by the rest of you. 06:14.600 --> 06:19.920 Then you've got to come along seven or eight more miles, Evans, and then we'll be stopping 06:19.920 --> 06:22.320 for some rest and a hot meal. 06:22.320 --> 06:25.360 I'm not thinking of those miles. 06:25.360 --> 06:28.320 How many more seven miles are there? 06:28.320 --> 06:29.320 Let's cover these. 06:29.320 --> 06:30.320 How many more? 06:30.320 --> 06:31.320 Evans! 06:31.320 --> 06:37.720 I'll do the best I can. 06:37.720 --> 06:39.720 I'm sure of it, Evans. 06:39.720 --> 06:40.720 Everything will be all right. 06:40.720 --> 06:41.720 Yes, sir. 06:41.720 --> 06:42.720 All right. 06:42.720 --> 06:46.080 I'll have a hot food and a few more hours. 06:46.080 --> 06:54.080 Let's move on. 06:54.080 --> 07:01.520 February the 11th, temperature minus 26.2, the worst day we have had during the trip 07:01.520 --> 07:04.160 and greatly owing to our own fault. 07:04.160 --> 07:08.320 We started on a wretched surface, pulling on ski. 07:08.320 --> 07:09.320 Light was horrible. 07:09.320 --> 07:13.160 Dulled by fog, it made everything look fantastic. 07:13.160 --> 07:18.920 As we went on, the light grew worse, and we found ourselves in pressure. 07:18.920 --> 07:22.200 Then came the fatal decision to steer east. 07:22.200 --> 07:29.160 The disturbance grew worse, and my spirits received a very rude shock. 07:29.160 --> 07:35.640 The farther we plunged ahead, the less possible it seemed that we could find a way out. 07:35.640 --> 07:40.240 We struggled until 9 p.m. and could do nothing more but make camp. 07:40.240 --> 07:51.400 There is no getting away from the fact that we are not pulling strong. 07:51.400 --> 07:52.400 Are those your eyes, Wilson? 07:52.400 --> 07:53.400 How are they? 07:53.400 --> 07:54.400 Better? 07:54.400 --> 07:55.400 I think. 07:55.400 --> 07:56.400 All right, let me see. 07:56.400 --> 07:57.400 Yes, I think they are. 07:57.400 --> 07:58.400 Or Evans? 07:58.400 --> 07:59.400 Evans? 07:59.400 --> 08:00.400 Yes. 08:00.400 --> 08:01.400 What do you say? 08:01.400 --> 08:02.400 Was I saying something? 08:02.400 --> 08:03.400 I didn't think I was. 08:03.400 --> 08:08.400 I thought I was asleep. 08:08.400 --> 08:20.960 And perhaps you were. 08:20.960 --> 08:22.640 You know what you were saying, Evans? 08:22.640 --> 08:26.760 You were naming the schools that donated sledges for the expedition. 08:26.760 --> 08:31.600 Oh, I thought I was asleep. 08:31.600 --> 08:34.800 I must have been dreaming about home. 08:34.800 --> 08:37.680 I like it better there than I do here. 08:37.680 --> 08:41.040 I mean, I like dreaming about it. 08:41.040 --> 08:43.280 I like it asleep. 08:43.280 --> 08:45.400 You get as much rest as you can, Evans. 08:45.400 --> 08:47.360 We want an early start. 08:47.360 --> 08:50.800 You were at house of foot. 08:50.800 --> 08:51.800 It's better, Captain. 08:51.800 --> 08:54.440 It bothers a bit in the morning, but then it gets better. 08:54.440 --> 08:55.440 Good. 08:55.440 --> 08:57.800 How do you make it so well, Captain? 08:57.800 --> 09:01.120 Because I know that everything is going to be all right. 09:01.120 --> 09:02.760 Just cheering us up, do you really think so? 09:02.760 --> 09:04.960 Oh, of course I think so. 09:04.960 --> 09:08.280 You know as well as I what splendid planning we've had. 09:08.280 --> 09:09.760 Everything's going precisely as it should. 09:09.760 --> 09:13.760 And the line of supply camps right back to the ship. 09:13.760 --> 09:24.240 All we've got to do is to follow it. 09:24.240 --> 09:25.240 February the 17th. 09:25.240 --> 09:30.840 A very terrible day, although we got out of the turmoil. 09:30.840 --> 09:34.960 Evans looked a little better after a good sleep and declared that he was all right. 09:34.960 --> 09:39.960 He started in his place on the traces, but half an hour later he had to leave the sledge 09:39.960 --> 09:40.960 and follow behind. 09:40.960 --> 09:46.080 At the first rest stop he came up very slowly. 09:46.080 --> 09:50.680 He stayed with us for a while and then dropped out again. 09:50.680 --> 09:53.280 We tried to pull him onto the sledge, but hadn't the strength. 09:53.280 --> 09:57.480 And so he had to walk again and again fell behind. 09:57.480 --> 10:02.120 At lunch camp we saw him coming far astern. 10:02.120 --> 10:05.120 And when we looked again, he had fallen. 10:05.120 --> 10:06.120 Evans? 10:06.120 --> 10:07.120 Evans? 10:07.120 --> 10:08.120 Is he alive? 10:08.120 --> 10:09.120 Wait. 10:09.120 --> 10:10.120 Huh? 10:10.120 --> 10:11.120 Yes. 10:11.120 --> 10:15.160 Get him up on his feet and get him moving. 10:15.160 --> 10:16.160 Come on, Evans. 10:16.160 --> 10:17.160 Evans? 10:17.160 --> 10:18.160 Evans! 10:18.160 --> 10:19.160 Let me go. 10:19.160 --> 10:20.160 Walk. 10:20.160 --> 10:21.160 Walk, man. 10:21.160 --> 10:22.160 Walk, Evans. 10:22.160 --> 10:23.160 I don't want to. 10:23.160 --> 10:24.160 Go on. 10:24.160 --> 10:31.160 Get the others bowers and bring the sledge. 10:31.160 --> 10:32.160 Right. 10:32.160 --> 10:33.160 Evans. 10:33.160 --> 10:35.160 Evans, will you listen to me? 10:35.160 --> 10:36.160 You can't lie there. 10:36.160 --> 10:37.160 You've got to move. 10:37.160 --> 10:38.160 Evans, come on. 10:38.160 --> 10:41.160 Get up. 10:41.160 --> 10:43.160 You have to do it. 10:43.160 --> 10:46.160 I can't lift you. 10:46.160 --> 10:49.160 Over there. 10:49.160 --> 10:54.160 Over there, my king. 10:54.160 --> 10:57.160 Over there. 10:57.160 --> 11:00.160 And we got him into the tent. 11:00.160 --> 11:03.160 He was quite comatose. 11:03.160 --> 11:06.160 And he died quietly at 12.30 p.m. 11:06.160 --> 11:13.160 It is a terrible thing to lose a companion that way. 11:13.160 --> 11:18.160 His passing is a frightfully personal thing to each of us. 11:18.160 --> 11:23.160 As is usual, our doubts and fears are not voiced. 11:23.160 --> 11:27.160 But I don't think that one of us does not wonder 11:27.160 --> 11:40.160 how many of the remaining four can survive. 11:40.160 --> 11:42.160 February 22nd, night camp. 11:42.160 --> 11:45.160 Temperature minus 22.9. 11:45.160 --> 11:49.160 There is little doubt that we're in for a rotten, critical time going home. 11:49.160 --> 11:52.160 And the lateness of the season may make it really serious. 11:52.160 --> 11:57.160 We never won a march of 8.5 miles with greater difficulty than we did today. 11:57.160 --> 11:59.160 We have come now a bit more than half the distance, 11:59.160 --> 12:04.160 which leaves almost 400 distressing miles of dragging still before us. 12:04.160 --> 12:07.160 On the bright side, we found another supply camp 12:07.160 --> 12:09.160 and have 10 full days of provisions 12:09.160 --> 12:19.160 and have less than 70 miles to the next camp. 12:19.160 --> 12:24.160 February 25th, night camp. Temperature minus 23.2. 12:24.160 --> 12:26.160 A little despondent again. 12:26.160 --> 12:28.160 A really terrible service. 12:28.160 --> 12:33.160 It surely will be a bad business if we are to have this pulling all the way through. 12:33.160 --> 12:37.160 I don't know what to think, but the closing of the season is ominous. 12:37.160 --> 12:41.160 Oates' foot is almost completely gone and he is helpless. 12:41.160 --> 12:45.160 It leaves the pulling up to Wilson, almost totally blind now. 12:45.160 --> 12:49.160 I, Bowers and myself, and we do not do well at all. 12:49.160 --> 12:52.160 The truth is that there is not enough energy in our rations. 12:52.160 --> 12:57.160 Without tremendous intakes of energy in this cold, the physical system suffers. 12:57.160 --> 13:00.160 The mental system too. 13:00.160 --> 13:04.160 There is little communication between us in the tent at night now. 13:04.160 --> 13:11.160 Bob? Bob? Oh Bob? Oh Bob? 13:11.160 --> 13:12.160 Yes? 13:12.160 --> 13:13.160 What is it, Scrut? 13:13.160 --> 13:18.160 What? I... I thought I heard something. I thought you said something, didn't you? 13:18.160 --> 13:19.160 No. 13:19.160 --> 13:23.160 Bowers. I've got to talk to you, Bowers. 13:23.160 --> 13:24.160 Of course. 13:24.160 --> 13:31.160 I... Bowers, I'm terribly worried. I didn't think it was you that called. I heard my wife. 13:31.160 --> 13:33.160 Under these conditions, hardly... 13:33.160 --> 13:38.160 No, wait. Let me tell you. It started last night. I was with her, Bowers, and it wasn't a dream. 13:38.160 --> 13:42.160 I was lying awake looking up at the peak of the tent and suddenly I was with her. 13:42.160 --> 13:44.160 In our library at home. 13:44.160 --> 13:45.160 You must have been dreaming. 13:45.160 --> 13:50.160 No, I wasn't. I could feel everything, smell everything, the perfume she was wearing. 13:50.160 --> 13:59.160 The warmth from the fire. I was warm, Bowers. I was warm even after I came back here. No dream can accomplish that. 13:59.160 --> 14:07.160 Went home, I held her in my arms. We went up to see our son. It was night and he was asleep. 14:07.160 --> 14:13.160 Then we went back to the library and sat before the fire and it was warm. 14:13.160 --> 14:16.160 I'm sorry that he's asleep, Bob, but it's late. 14:16.160 --> 14:21.160 Why, no. There'll be time. You know what tales I'll have to tell him. 14:21.160 --> 14:26.160 Of courageous men serving their country. I'll make him proud to be an Englishman. 14:26.160 --> 14:28.160 I'm sure he will be, darling. 14:28.160 --> 14:35.160 Above all, we must guard him against indolence. We must make him a strenuous man, interest him in natural history. 14:35.160 --> 14:36.160 That's better than games. 14:36.160 --> 14:38.160 He'll be a good man. 14:38.160 --> 14:43.160 And you, Kate. Oh, if I could tell you of the millions of thoughts I've had of you. 14:43.160 --> 14:48.160 I was with you, I think. I worried, sir. I knew you must have been suffering. 14:48.160 --> 14:52.160 Well, there was some. There's bound to be when a foetus as great as ours. 14:52.160 --> 14:59.160 The years of planning. Eight hundred miles we marched to the pole and eight hundred back. 14:59.160 --> 15:04.160 But what wealth we brought to the scientists and what honor we brought to England. 15:04.160 --> 15:08.160 Your home, darling. And that's more important than science and honor. 15:08.160 --> 15:11.160 Your home and you won't ever go away again. 15:11.160 --> 15:17.160 No. No, I've served my term of duty, I think. I shall collect and arrange my notes. 15:17.160 --> 15:22.160 Perhaps I shall write a book and describe the bottom of the world and living there. 15:22.160 --> 15:23.160 But never go back. 15:23.160 --> 15:29.160 It drifts snow like finest flower flickering up under one's clothing and stinging as a sandblast. 15:29.160 --> 15:30.160 Never go back. 15:30.160 --> 15:35.160 The great cloudy columns of snow drift advancing from the south and heralding the storm. 15:35.160 --> 15:37.160 But never go back. 15:37.160 --> 15:44.160 No, I like it here. I'm warm. Warm. I'm warm. 15:44.160 --> 15:49.160 It was a dream, Scott. Good Lord, there's nothing to worry about. It was not a dream. 15:49.160 --> 15:55.160 All of your senses don't coordinate in a dream. You don't smell and touch and feel. 15:55.160 --> 16:03.160 Well, I... I told you. And I was the... it was the first sign of a breakdown. I wanted you to know. 16:03.160 --> 16:06.160 Of course it isn't. You're in splendid shape. 16:06.160 --> 16:10.160 Thanks, Bowers. I owe you a great deal. 16:10.160 --> 16:11.160 Oh, nonsense. 16:11.160 --> 16:16.160 At least I owe you the privilege of getting some sleep. Good night, Bowers. 16:16.160 --> 16:25.160 Good night. 16:25.160 --> 16:32.160 March the 1st. Lunch. Very cold last night. Minimum minus 41.5. 16:32.160 --> 16:36.160 But our fortunes have changed. At least the future looks brighter. 16:36.160 --> 16:40.160 Bowers' excellent navigating has kept us precisely on course. 16:40.160 --> 16:45.160 And on it we found an unexpected supply tent containing rations and a note addressed to me. 16:45.160 --> 16:50.160 The men at the Cape had taken it upon themselves to change plans for which we are very happy. 16:50.160 --> 16:55.160 The next camp, we expected only supplies, has been enlarged and manned. 16:55.160 --> 17:00.160 We are to be met there with dog sleddies. At that point, our dragging days are finished. 17:00.160 --> 17:12.160 And only 24 and a half miles away. 17:12.160 --> 17:17.160 March the 2nd. Night camp. 17:17.160 --> 17:21.160 All the elation of yesterday has been crushed. 17:21.160 --> 17:24.160 This fortune rarely comes singly. 17:24.160 --> 17:28.160 This day we have suffered three distinct blows. 17:28.160 --> 17:35.160 First, through some oversight of fuel oil supply is less than half of what we thought it was. 17:35.160 --> 17:39.160 Second, Titus Oates disclosed his feet. 17:39.160 --> 17:44.160 They show very bad indeed. They will never be saved. 17:44.160 --> 17:49.160 Lastly, the weather has turned on us. Blizzard conditions are extreme. 17:49.160 --> 17:53.160 We are in a very tight place indeed. 17:53.160 --> 18:06.160 But none of us is despondent. Or at least none shows it. 18:06.160 --> 18:14.160 March the 10th. Things steadily going downhill. Midday. Minus 43. 18:14.160 --> 18:20.160 Blizzard still with us. Oates unable to go on, so I camped at noon. 18:20.160 --> 18:27.160 I've covered only 11 miles in the eight days past. 18:27.160 --> 18:31.160 Captain. Yes, sir. 18:31.160 --> 18:36.160 It's quite difficult to say this without something heroic. 18:36.160 --> 18:40.160 I'm going to die and I know it. No, you aren't, Oates, and you mustn't talk like that. 18:40.160 --> 18:44.160 I know I am and I'm not afraid. Stop that, Oates. 18:44.160 --> 18:48.160 I know what I'm saying. The quicker it happens, the better. 18:48.160 --> 18:52.160 I'm not going to hold the rest of you back. I know how I felt about poor Evans. 18:52.160 --> 18:55.160 He was holding us back and I knew he was going to die. 18:55.160 --> 18:58.160 I was angry with him for keeping on as long as he did. Oates! 18:58.160 --> 19:01.160 What kind of talk is that, Oates? It's the truth and I don't care. 19:01.160 --> 19:05.160 When he was holding us back, I knew there was no chance for him. 19:05.160 --> 19:11.160 I wanted him to die. I don't know what the rest of you are thinking, but that's what I was. 19:11.160 --> 19:17.160 Now I'm holding you back and I won't have it. I want you to leave me. 19:17.160 --> 19:21.160 We'll not leave you, Oates. Please, Captain, I'm not afraid. 19:21.160 --> 19:27.160 I'd really like to go, sir. I'm tired and it hurts. 19:27.160 --> 19:30.160 I'd like to go to sleep and not wake up. 19:30.160 --> 19:33.160 I've no family to live like the rest of you have. 19:33.160 --> 19:36.160 We won't leave you, Oates. You'll know that. 19:36.160 --> 19:40.160 Please, Captain, what if I did get through? 19:40.160 --> 19:43.160 There isn't a chance. What if I did? 19:43.160 --> 19:48.160 I'd have my feet cut off. I'd rather die than have that done. 19:48.160 --> 19:53.160 Please, Captain, I'm not thinking of anybody but myself. I want it that way. 19:53.160 --> 19:56.160 I'll get into my sleeping bag and I'll go to sleep. 19:56.160 --> 19:58.160 I'm not afraid. I want to. 19:58.160 --> 20:03.160 We can't do that, Oates, even if we agreed with you. We couldn't leave you. 20:03.160 --> 20:06.160 Please, Captain. You know I'm right, sir. 20:06.160 --> 20:08.160 All of you know. 20:08.160 --> 20:11.160 Please, Captain. Please, sir. 20:18.160 --> 20:22.160 March 16th or 17th. 20:22.160 --> 20:26.160 I've lost track of dates, but I think the last is correct. 20:26.160 --> 20:30.160 Poor Titus Oates is gone. 20:30.160 --> 20:35.160 Should this journal be found, I want these facts recorded. 20:35.160 --> 20:38.160 This was his end. 20:38.160 --> 20:43.160 He woke in the morning yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. 20:43.160 --> 20:48.160 He said, I'm just going outside. It shan't be long. 20:48.160 --> 20:53.160 He went out into the blizzard, and we have not seen him since. 21:01.160 --> 21:05.160 March 18th. Night camp. 21:05.160 --> 21:10.160 We're still about 14 miles away from the sledge camp, but ill fortune presses. 21:10.160 --> 21:13.160 My right foot has gone. 21:13.160 --> 21:17.160 Two days ago I was proud possessor of the best feet. 21:17.160 --> 21:19.160 Now one is gone. 21:19.160 --> 21:24.160 But my companions are still confident of getting through. 21:24.160 --> 21:27.160 I don't know. 21:27.160 --> 21:30.160 We have the last fill of oil in our Primus. 21:30.160 --> 21:34.160 This alone between us and thirst. 21:39.160 --> 21:41.160 March 21st. 21:41.160 --> 21:47.160 We got within 11 miles of dog sledge camp yesterday, but blizzard forced us to lie up. 21:47.160 --> 21:49.160 We cannot move against it. 21:49.160 --> 21:52.160 We do not dare to leave the tent. 21:52.160 --> 21:55.160 They would surely die if we did. 21:55.160 --> 21:57.160 If conditions do not... 21:57.160 --> 22:00.160 Bob! Bob! 22:00.160 --> 22:02.160 Bob! 22:02.160 --> 22:04.160 Here I am, Bob! 22:04.160 --> 22:06.160 Here I am! 22:06.160 --> 22:09.160 Here I am, Bob, over here. 22:09.160 --> 22:11.160 Oh, I didn't see you. 22:11.160 --> 22:14.160 It's so nice in the sun, I thought I'd sit out for a bit. 22:14.160 --> 22:15.160 Yes, it is nice. 22:15.160 --> 22:18.160 Nothing like this at your precious South Pole. 22:18.160 --> 22:20.160 Nothing like this, no. 22:20.160 --> 22:24.160 Down there, even when the sun is high, it's always weak and diffused, you know. 22:24.160 --> 22:28.160 And because of the reflection from the ice from every side, there never is a definite shadow. 22:28.160 --> 22:32.160 There's always a number of shadows on any man or subject. 22:32.160 --> 22:36.160 I would say that your South Pole would drive anyone to insanity. 22:36.160 --> 22:38.160 I think it has. 22:38.160 --> 22:41.160 And then, when it's low, the sun... 22:41.160 --> 22:47.160 there's a never-ending twilight that holds today and yesterday together for months instead of moments. 22:47.160 --> 22:51.160 I remember when we reached the pole, the endless white deserts undulating, 22:51.160 --> 22:55.160 but offering nothing to stop the frigid winds that sweep endlessly on. 22:55.160 --> 22:57.160 I think you love it. 22:57.160 --> 22:59.160 No, I hate it. 22:59.160 --> 23:04.160 Because five men march to the pole and they say they've conquered it. 23:04.160 --> 23:06.160 But they haven't. 23:06.160 --> 23:08.160 It will conquer them. 23:08.160 --> 23:10.160 You'll never go back, will you? 23:10.160 --> 23:11.160 No. 23:11.160 --> 23:13.160 I didn't want you to go, remember? 23:13.160 --> 23:16.160 I was afraid that you wouldn't come back. 23:16.160 --> 23:18.160 Do you remember when I said that? 23:18.160 --> 23:20.160 Yes, yes, I remember. I laughed at you, didn't I? 23:20.160 --> 23:22.160 I was such a coward. 23:22.160 --> 23:28.160 I laughed and told you that I'd conquer it just for you, that I'd name a glacier for you. 23:28.160 --> 23:33.160 And I asked you how a woman should act when a glacier is named after her. 23:33.160 --> 23:36.160 Well, I didn't name a glacier for you, but I... 23:36.160 --> 23:38.160 I thought of you, Kate. 23:38.160 --> 23:42.160 I thought and dreamed of you so often. 23:42.160 --> 23:45.160 It's important that you know that. 23:45.160 --> 23:46.160 Scott! 23:46.160 --> 23:48.160 Kate, I love you. 23:48.160 --> 23:50.160 And at this sacrifice... 23:50.160 --> 23:51.160 Scott! 23:51.160 --> 23:52.160 What? 23:52.160 --> 23:54.160 Oh, yes, bothers. 23:54.160 --> 23:56.160 Wilson. 23:56.160 --> 23:58.160 Dead. 23:58.160 --> 24:00.160 Oh. 24:00.160 --> 24:02.160 Wilson? 24:02.160 --> 24:05.160 Oh. 24:05.160 --> 24:10.160 Wilson is dead. 24:16.160 --> 24:18.160 March the 29th. 24:18.160 --> 24:28.160 Since the 21st, Bowers and I, surviving Wilson, have had a continuous gale and blizzard from west-southwest and southwest. 24:28.160 --> 24:35.160 We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days. 24:35.160 --> 24:43.160 On the 20th, every day we've been ready to start for the dog-sledge camp 11 miles away. 24:43.160 --> 24:50.160 But outside the door of the tent, it remains a scene of whirling drift. 24:50.160 --> 24:58.160 I do not think we can hope for any better things now. 24:58.160 --> 25:04.160 We shall stick it out to the end, but we're getting weaker, of course. 25:04.160 --> 25:08.160 And the end cannot be far. 25:08.160 --> 25:16.160 It seems a pity, but I do not think that I can write much more. 25:16.160 --> 25:27.160 This rough journal and our dead bodies must tell the story. 25:27.160 --> 25:32.160 In dying, we ask... 25:32.160 --> 25:33.160 Bowers! 25:33.160 --> 25:35.160 No more! 25:35.160 --> 25:36.160 Bowers! 25:36.160 --> 25:37.160 Then... 25:37.160 --> 25:58.160 The following year, an expedition formed by Captain Scott's comrades at the main depot at Cape Armitage set out and found his body, along with that of Bowers and Wilson. 25:58.160 --> 26:02.160 Search was carried on for oats and Evans, but they were never found. 26:02.160 --> 26:21.160 A great cairn was built at the site of Scott's final camp, a trivial monument to the courage of five men, and especially to the complete devotion to duty of Robert Falcon Scott, who until his dying breath, continued to keep a record of the fatal journey. 26:32.160 --> 26:49.160 Suspense. 26:49.160 --> 27:04.160 In which Ben Wright starred in tonight's presentation of the Diary of Captain Scott. Next week, we bring you the story of three convicts on a road gang in Florida who planned the perfect escape through the Everglades. We call it Quiet Night. 27:04.160 --> 27:07.160 That's next week on... 27:07.160 --> 27:22.160 Suspense. 27:22.160 --> 27:41.160 Suspense is produced and directed in Hollywood by Anthony Ellis. Tonight's script was adapted for suspense by Gil Dowd. The music was composed by Lucian Morrowek and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Featured in the cast were Ellen Morgan, Jane Avello, Richard Peele, Raymond Lawrence, Hans Conrad, and George Walsh. 27:41.160 --> 27:54.160 For another fast moving demonstration of how the FBI in peace and war fights crime, don't miss the next dramatic episode over most of these same stations tomorrow night at this time. 27:54.160 --> 28:14.160 Stay tuned for five minutes of CBS News to be followed on most of these same stations by The Jack Carson Show. 28:14.160 --> 28:35.160 The Radio Workshop presents the new and unusual Friday nights on the CBS Radio Network. 28:44.160 --> 29:12.160 The Radio Workshop presents the new and unusual Friday nights on the CBS Radio Network.