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1860 Wednesday Dec. 12th The Morn is star light though the gauzy Aurora is spread nearly over the heavens. At the N.N.E. [[strikethrough]] a [[/strikethrough]] long beams of Aurora shot up to near Zenith about VII (AM) Thermometer has been gradually on the rise since the night of the 10th. This morn it stands at Zero. Wind light from N.W. Bar. 29.600 After the morning repast, took a walk out to the "Look - out Island" distant about 1/2 mile South. On starting, was making my way over the ice [[strikethrough]] toward [[/strikethrough]] leading to [[strikethrough]] through [[/strikethrough]] the passage between the two islands westerly of the G.H. when I discovered a native recovering his position on the ice having broken through. Seeing him fairly out, I directed my steps at [[strikethrough]] another [[/strikethrough]] a different way. My Esquimaux (Greenland) dogs were my only company. Half an hour found me near my journey's end trying to pass from tarrioke (Sea-ice) to land. After various attempts I finally succeeded though at the expense of some hard scrambling. [[strikethrough]] A curious [[/strikethrough]] A Curious - an interesting fact for miles as far as we can [[strikethrough]] hundreds of miles [[/strikethrough]] see from "Look out", a considerable Eminence, the Sea-ice is now as smooth as a floor but to pass from land to main ice on Main ice to land is a difficult job - especial at high tide. My feet once on nuna (land) I made my way slowly up to the top "Look Out". There I remained for some time looking this way & that way - every way - on the variety of views around me. As I proceded to this Island, I could see here & there Innuits on their way [[strikethrough]] out in the Bay to the place [[/strikethrough]] to hunt Seals out in the Bay. From "Look-Out", I could see in various directions these hardy men each standing by [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] his seal-hole he [[end page]] [[start page]] 1860 Wednes Dec 12 had found intently watching for the appearance of the seal. By these holes an Esquimaux will stand for hours, if the seal is not captured before. Happy is the watcher if he hears a "puff". The seal has come! - Listlessly, the spear is drawn up & poised - another blow of the seal. The blow of the Innuit is stuck as furiously as though a tiger was the subject. Well is it if the last "blow" proves to be the [[underlined]] fast [[/underlined]] one. If so, the line is drawn in Seal comes in to. His head now becomes the mark of a score of rapid blows from the spear - The seal hole is chisled larger - large enough for the seal's exit from tarrioke (the Sea) & forth he is drawn in triumph! Home native hastens the line [[strikethrough]] removing [[/strikethrough]] deflecting over his shoulders running back to seal which he drags as proudly as if a world were the reward. The village lamps are again re-lighted - Then the hungry stomachs of all are once more digesting fresh seal meat & blubber. The Bay frozen solid as far Sea-ward as I could see save a narrow line of water mid-way. Bear Sound & the [[strikethrough]] Arctic [[/strikethrough]] Sea extending to "Hall's Island" [[strikethrough]] an ice [[/strikethrough]] iced over. Shall I not have capital opportunity for a dog sledge ride to these & others notable points this winter? For what purpose? To survey them! To chart them correctly! My return by 11 o'clk. The Prismatic colors for hours to-day. [[strikethrough]] 22° [[/strikethrough]] 22[[degree symbol]] Each side of the Sun. The spiculae falling during the time.
Transcription Notes:
Reviewed. Corrected for incorrect insertion designation & other transcription errors. @kdownunder
