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Saturday, Oct. 20th 1860 This morning, still colder, Ther. 12° above 0. Seeing the Cook ^[[on deck, next the galley,]][[underline]] hard [[/underline]] at work at a pile of [[underline]] hard [[/underline]] wood, sawing it, I invited the priviledge of assisting-For a full 1/2 hour, [[underline]] I was a saw-mill. [[/underline]] with the sentiment on ^[[(on [[underline]] in [[/underline]] ]] the boiler hard to the Engine, the propelling power - 'Let'er rip-she's all oak'! The saw was a very dull one, but exercise ^[[being]] [[strikethrough]] was [[/strikethrough]] my grand object, this was no [[underline]] "draw-back."! [[/underline]] My hands [[strikethrough]] hands [[/strikethrough]] ^[[had]] no coverings, but quick motions, hard pushings, & almost as laborious pulls, brought warmth & some perspiration, largely increased, to my very fingers' ends! The wind is fresh from N.W. The hands have not been out this morning, cruising. A Boat load of Esquimaux ^[[(Whale crew-Mgan's]] came aboard this morning. Soon as they got a mug of coffee,slice of jurk Beef,a [[diet?]] of sea biscuit, Each, they returned shore. At noon,Ku-yee-se & his crew came aboard. The G.H. Company require 1 Cask, ^[[(9 Barrels)]] fresh water every 4 days. Capt. B. tells me that Pan-lu-yen, (Blind George) lost his father just previous to his ^[[(Capt. B's)]] 1st arrival in this northern country by Capturing a Whale - the line got "foul", taking a turn on his leg which was taken off quick as a flash. He survived but a short time. A man [[over?]] in New London, Ct. that lost both his by a whale ^[[line]] getting "foul". [[strikethrough]] this [[/strikethrough]] The number of Whales that have been taken in the Single Inlet of Northumberland [[strikethrough]] IIII [[/strikethrough]] enough to make scores of large fortunes. The small Bay of [[Ou-kuvillem?]] - "Buddington Bay" has turned out no less than 16 Whales! At 12 (M) wind moderated Ther. 17[[degree symbol], Bar 29.425 Snowing. Preparations being made for the Whaling Expedition alluded to in my record of yesterday. Sterry to make 4 Whale line tubs - Smith busily engaged making additional Sails for the Boats others at work on this thing & that all in view of our departure for "Buddington Bay". At IX o'clock this eve an increase of wind, Barometer [[strikethrough]] has fallen [[/strikethrough]] ^[[fell [[strikethrough]] fall [[/strikethrough]] ]] since noon ^[[at VII 1/2 o'clock]] three tenths of an inch. This indicates either a storm or a fall of snow! The wind being westerly & snowing some the latter is probably is what is indicated. "Smith" told the story to-day of the general ^[[run]] of the "Saw" at "Desolation Island" ^[[South Lat.]] near wh. much whaling is done. As I understand it, "Desolation" is of character of the regions here. The "Saw" is: "Desolation" is ^[[a]] fine place - take your gun - go out into an Orange grove - lay down, Eat oranges - Elephant come along, [[strikethrough]] sho [[/strikethrough]] shoot him - then, eat Oranges- another elephant come along, shoot [[underline]] him [[/underline]] - lay down, eat Oranges!" The figure is grotesque, as well as rich in conception! I must begin letters for Home. The opportunity is a good one for communicating with civilization. O, that I could have the News from the States - the Enlightened World! But I expect nothing of the Kind for near three years. An incident, to some ^[[perhaps]] of trifling account, occurred this Eve. I noticed my guard chain swinging loosely from my neck while on deck. My astonishment was great, thinking my watch gone! I had just returned from a short seal-hunt with Kujrsse & his Esquimaux crew & concluded I must have lost it getting over the side of the G. H.; but happily my watch [[strikethrough]] wall [[/strikethrough]] was ^[[found, still]] beating ^[[Rescue Harbor]] Meantime as usual in my fob; [[strikethrough]] but [[/strikethrough]] my key was truly [[underline]] gone [[/underline]], & no duplicate! Capt. B. took lantern & with ^[[his]] Argus eyes, hunted the snowy deck, [[strikethrough]] but without [[/strikethrough]] ^[[No]] success. Every man who had a "Box-[[trunk?]]" [[ransacked?]] it for a key - keys were found, some [[underline]] with [[/underline]] & some without the pistol - Alas, those [[underline]] with [[/underline] were too large. The men forward, [[* in left margin]] were visited - but no [[strikethrough]] key [[/strikethrough]] fitting keys. My excellent running detached Levin I fear must go down! Nay, I fear not, for necessity is the maternal source of invention - My watch [[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]] will run for hours. [[strikethrough]] yet. [[/strikethrough]] Now for a key!
