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[[preprinted]] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1865. [[/preprinted]]
Roused at 5.30 by the falling of the hawser over the side, caused by lurching of the vessel. Go on deck and see to the safety of the scientific "duds" and have them safely stowed. The steamer cast off in the night and is out of sight and hearing. About nine make the discovery of a long reef on our lee bow. All hands have a tough time for an hour in wearing off and we make a narrow escape from wreck. Thick fog. and heavy sea. Make soundings in the afternoon of 45 65, 143, 90, and 170 fath. and bring up live animals in the grabber every time. Fire a gun every half hour for the steamer. Lay to from five oclock in the afternoon till 10 P.M.

[[preprinted]] SATURDAY 2 [[/preprinted]]
Morning. Misty, rainy, and disagreeable. Sounding in the night brought up a Hipponyx & some worms. form 140 fath. sand. No signs of the steamer. Going about a knot an hour, or less with all sail set. Feel a little grouty from continual hazing, but it works off quietly after a while. Morning, draw some of the mollusks obtained at Ounga Harbor and color them in the course of the afternoon. Look over the S.I. pamphlets rec'd from Dr. Fisher. Evening. Write and have a meeting of the Inebriate Club. This world is all a fleeing show for mans delusion given, &c. Vive la Science

[[preprinted]] SUNDAY 3 [[/preprinted]]
Morning, fair and cold, a relief from the constant drizzle of the last two days. Spend most of the morning preparing for muster. At muster (the first since we left Sitka) The standing orders are read of both the Land and marine service. Dr. Fisher goes the rounds. Afternoon, read and color up the rest of my Ounga collections. Land in sight all day till hid by mists in the afternoon. Head wind obliges us to keep a tacking and though within thirty miles of the pass we shall not reach it today. 
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[[preprinted]] MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1865. [[/preprinted]]
Morning fair and cold. Wind contrary, and strong. Ounimak passage in plain sight about seven miles off, but with no prospect for us to pass through today. After beating back and forth for half the day we cast anchor opposite a rocky point and waited for a change. catching codfish halibut &c meanwhile. Coast rocky and desolate, high peaks with large snow-patches are visible. In the afternoon the wind dies away and about 8 P.M. we set sail and weigh anchor to get away from the dangerous vicinity of land, though the wind freshens again.

[[preprinted]] TUESDAY 5 [[/preprinted]]
A beautiful calm morning but the day passes in beating slowly a few miles nearer the pass. A pair of singularly contrasted peaks to the eastward. One Sheshaldenski, a calm snow silvered, graceful cone smoking. The other Isanotski not so high but riven from top to bottom, black, jagged, and a very abomination of desolation in its seared, craggy, peaks. Toward evening, we beat well up into the pass, but the current carries us back, when the tide turns. Have one of my kegs arranged to pack specimens in.

[[preprinted]] WEDNESDAY 6 [[/preprinted]]
Morning. About eight o'clock have squeezed thro' the passage and see land once more astern. The spectre schooner which has been dodging us for the past two days is now near us About noon she bears down on us and the Captain boards her. she proves to be as supposed, the Milton Badger, all well on board. Harder with a touch of squaw fever. Toward evening a fine breeze springs up and we go along about 8 knots. Evening with the Captain.
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