Viewing page 152 of 184

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Monday Oct. 29th 1860

   At 20 minutes of 8 O'clock, ^[[this Morning,]] was on my way with an Esquimaux ^[[crew Mgan's]] to visit the English Steamer, "Lady Sealey," Capt. Parker,Jr, which I supposed, without a doubt, was in the harbor on the opposite side of "Rescue Bay."  I was accompanied by Sterry, who indeed was one of the company.  The wind was blowing fresh from the S.W. therefore [[underline]] "dead ahead" [[/underline]], making sailing out of the question.  The grand or major object of this excursion was to get the boat left ^[[for me]] by Capt. John Parker Sr. ^[[of the [[Truelove]]^ with his son of the Steamer "L. Sealey"  Another object of great consideration was to convey my letters - one for my dear ones at Home, & ^[[one for]] H. Grinnell Esq of N.Y. to have them forwarded to Eng. & thence by Steamer to U.S.  As we passed along, numerous were the [[underline]] "Seals' Weddings" [[/underline]] we saw.  I doubt not in the passage across the Bay & home again we saw 500 Seals!  A "[[Nouren?]]" passing over our heads was brought down by Sterry's excellent marksmanship.  This, when skinned, made a  capital feast [[underline]] in its raw state [[/underline]] for the Esquimaux ^[[&-well,]] I participated so far as to eat delicate morsels of the golden colored streak of fat between the skin & flesh of this beautiful Sea fowl.  When 1/2 across our path was crossed by one of the G. H. Boats ^[[cruising for whales]] under all sail.  I hailed       the boat steerer, inviting him to come on as best he could.  We were bound to lead-[[underline]] if we could! [[/underline]] ^[[on we went - ]] occasionally, a [[strikethrough]] thid [[/strikethrough]] thought would steal across me that the Steamer probably has gone, as among all the boats looking for whales, I saw no English!  The Buttress-like mountains toward which we were approaching grew higher & higher.  At 20 minutes of 10 we were entering the [[strikethrough]] Bay making [[/strikethrough]] ^[[Harbor]] 2 hours in making [[strikethrough]] a [[/strikethrough]] transit of Rescue Bay - 10 miles distant.  Considering the head wind, the crew done well - [[strikethrough]] we [[/strikethrough]] very well!  But what disappointment awaited me!  The Steamer was gone!  Still, I felt sure the Boat had been left on shore, near the Vessel's anchorage.  As we moved on, the shore on either side was carefully, [[underline]] scrutininzingly [[/underline]] examined, but no boat gladdend my sight!  We landed at the head of the harbor which is perhaps 1 1/2 miles [[strikethrough]] deep [[/strikethrough]] ^[[from the entrance]]. While the Esquimaux examined in one direction, I & Sterry directed our steps southward a distance of 500 yards to the [[strikethrough]] we [[/strikethrough]] mountain Brook where the ^[[Parker]] vessels launched their boats to get fresh water.  No Boat, any where to be seen.  ^[[Momentarily]] With a heavy heart, I returned to our landing. As we passed along, Saw remained [[strikethrough]] y [[/strikethrough]] ^[[where had been]] Several Esquimaux tents.  "Mgan" took on board a Doz.  [[strikethrough]] Frdh [[/strikethrough]] Tent poles which belonged to him.  These, indeed, were of a lot which he cut down with his own hands when in the States a few years ago.  After [[strikethrough]] apared in [[/strikethrough]] Spending an hour on terra firma - on rock & Snow, mostly of the latter, we [[strikethrough]] interested [[/strikethrough]] raised Sail for Home, ^[[Still]] Examining the shores carefully ^[[as we moved Sea-ward down the harbor]].  Sterry suggested that perhaps the "Nor Wester" of 27th had driven the Steamer out to Sea.  This appeared plausible, as Such a wind would sweep ^[[terrifically]] down the hollow [[strikethrough]] between [[/strikethrough]] of the Mountains ^[[there]] which trends N.W.  We arrived along side the G. H.