Scott handed me my instructions on October 20, which read as follows:
Instructions for Motor Party.
Proceed at convenient speed to Corner Camp, thence to One Ton Camp, and thence due South to Latitude 80 1/2 degrees South. If motors successful
(i) Carry forward from Corner Camp 9 bags forage, 1 bag of oilcake; but see that provision for ponies is intact, viz.: 3 sacks oats, 1 bag oilcake, 4 bags of forage. If motors pulling very well you can also take 9 cases emergency biscuit.
(ii) In addition carry forward from One Ton Camp all man food and fuel in depot, viz.: 7 units bagged provisions, 4 boxes biscuit, 8 gallons paraffin, but see that provision for ponies is intact, viz.: 5 sacks oats; and deposit second bag of oil-cake brought from Corner Camp. If motors pulling very well you can also take 2 or 3 bales of compressed fodder.
It being important that I should have latest news of your success I am arranging for dog teams to follow your tracks for some distance.
If motors break down temporarily you will have time for repairs.
If motors break down irretrievably, take 5 weeks' provision and 3 gallons extra summit oil on 10 foot sledge and continue South easy marches. Arrange as best you can for ponies to overtake you three or four marches due South One Ton Camp. Advance as much weight (man food) as you can conveniently carry from One Ton Camp, but I do not wish you to tire any of party. The object is to relieve the ponies as much as possible on leaving One Ton Camp, but you must not risk chance of your tracks being obliterated and pony party missing you.
(Signed) R. F. SCOTT.
On October 23 I wrote my final letters to my wife and friends lest I should get back to Cape Evans after the departure of the "Terra Nova": we had by now decided that another winter was imperious, and as far as possible those who were likely to remain a second winter wrote to this effect, and left their letters in Simpson's charge. Before my departure with the motors I also spent some time with my leader, and he gave me all his instructions to the various parties to read.