Fourteen years ago Robert Falcon Scott was a rising naval officer, able, accomplished, popular, highly thought of by his superiors, and devoted to his noble profession.

It was a serious responsibility to induce him to take up the work of an explorer; yet no man living could be found who was so well fitted to command a great Antarctic Expedition.

The undertaking was new and unprecedented.

The object was to explore the unknown Antarctic Continent by land.

Captain Scott entered upon the enterprise with enthusiasm tempered by prudence and sound sense.