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Saturday, October, 13th 1860
This day haws been cloudy & ^[[otherwise]] in strong contrast of ^[[the]] exceeding delightful one yesterday. Barometer fell last night nearly 3 tenths of an inch. If the instrument be not out of order, we may expect a blow within 24 hours.
Boats have cruised to day as usual, but no whales. I should make the 
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exception relative to ^[[the remark [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] ]] all were retained aboard this P.M. drawing water from the casks that were filled up, on leaving the stacks for ballast. The water is thus taken out ere it [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] becomes frozen. No water can be kept on hand on board of a vessel in these regions in cold weather. Ice-bergs & snow are to potted[[guess]] ^[[as wanted]] for our drinking & washing purposes. Ice-bergs are not formed [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] in Rescue Harbor & Bay nevertheless like Whales they occasionally pay us visits They come down Davis Strait, wheel westward past Cape Mercy go across Northumberland Inlet occasionally visiting its head thence down to West side along the coast to the mouth of Rescue Bay up wh. some make their 
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up here & some past us.
Twenty minutes past V this Eve, Rescue Harbor time, Smith came running down into the Cabin saying "Parker's come! Steam ship, coming up the Bay!' Following Smith, ^[[Keeney]] came down ^[[with]] a rush, crying excitedly: 'Captain Hall, 2 vessels coming up Rescue Bay! Then followed Capt. Budington himself - eyes bright & a face bespeaking glowing thoughts.
I said to him: Well Captain, Have they come, following [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] the illustrious [[underlined]] predessor! [[/underlined]] 'Yes', said he, 'they come! Let them come, I find some relief ^[[however]] in it, for this shows: [[underlined]] some other places without whales, as well as "Rescue Bay, [[/underlined]] at this present time!
Capt. Lamb was my 4th informer ^[[coming]]. 'Steam vessel & ship coming up the Bay. Where are you?' Fifth informer - Stenny - 6th Gardiner - all within 2 minutes.
Tell about early news & telegraphs at Home! Nothing instead of every day affairs with us, can take place but that I am informed of it [[underlined]] instanter! [[/underlined]]
Capt. B. started out with a boat's crew to meet the English Whaler, Parker & his son, but finding these headed for a small [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] Harbor on the opposite side of Rescue Bay, he returned. I shall hope to visit these vessels Monday. Can write home ^[[now,]] 
As the Capt. came in to the cabin on his return just now he exclaimed: '13 more boats added to the fleet!' Are there 2 vessels said I; & are they really both English? 'Aye-Aye' was the answer.
The officers have been playing "Whist" to-night.
At 8 o'clock Capt. B. came in from the deck saying to ^[[me]] [[strikethrough]] my [[/strikethrough]] 'Northern Lights to-night!' This was enough. My Esquimaux boots, coat & cap, was on in a few moments & I on deck bathing my soul in the golden flood above! Stremers were scattering here & there every where, but North N.E. & N.W. - All South of these points & over head were banks of Aurora [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]]. Wind N.W. Ther. 20[[degree symbol]] Bar. 29.200.
The time of the finest display was 1/4 ^[[of]] 9. After that died away to ordinary.
All the while viewing this scene, are Exquimaux over to the Village "An-Koot-ing"!