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1860 Thurs. Dec 20th

of doing the [[underlined]] duty [[/underlined]] man to man is enough for him, but [[underlined]] how enhanced [[/underlined]] & quickened must be his happy thoughts as he realizes that he is now made the noble instrument in the hands of The Great & Glorious God to relieve the distresses - & save the lives of those who were once [[underlined]] his [[/underlined]] benefactors!

At this moment (VII A.M., before light) as I write, "Mgan", one of the Esquimaux to whom [[strikethrough]] I have refered as [[/strikethrough]] Capt. B. feels indebted for his life (as reference is herein made) comes in to ask him for Ook-sook (oil) for his lamps saying he is all out.  This has just been communicated to Capt. B. who is still upon his couch within the toss of my pen.  I hear His answer 'Yes, certainly give it to him!

The firm ice - the thick ribbed ice - up the whole Harbor is swaying - slightly & been so all night to & fro making the Stern crack!  Crack! with but little cessation.  Certainly "a blow" somewhere seaward has been, or is prevailing!

The vessel is locked to the ice - or rather the ice is frozen tight to the George Henry's hull.  As I think I have before remarked the G.H. is headed within 2° degrees of true North, the North Star being that much westward of the vessel line of masts at is upper & lower culminations.

X o'clock A.M. - The natives have been aboard & had their morning repast.  The ice in the Bay is all broken up, thus keeping there noble hearted

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1860 Thurs Dec 20

sons of the North at their wits end what now to do.

Their Sealing ice is now entirely gone.  What they are now to do, I know not unless they try their hands in other places.  Tuk-oo-li-too said to me this morning: 'What am I to - do? - Nothing to eat - the place destitute of the wherewith to live or at least the facilities [[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] wanting to get it.

At VII o'clock wind whipped around to N.E.  It commenced snowing IX.  Thermometer 4° Bar. 30.100

XII Meridian. The "conference" (anticipated in yesterday's record) (1 hour) with Capt. Budington has this moment ended.  Never shall I forget it!  [[underlined]] The man [[/underlined]] - the nobleness of man - loomed up as a creature of some higher sphere.  How ready with his hand & heart for good deeds!  Capt. Sidney O. Budington might well adopt the sentiment of Terrence "Homo sum et humani a me nil alienum puto." - I am a man, & nothing which relates to man can be foreign to my bosom.

I am blessed, the Cause I have espoused is blessed by having this man my companion!  God be blessed for all blessings.  I am overwhelmed with them.  O that my poor heart may be truly sensible & thankful for it.

The snow that is falling cracks like spun glass under one's feet.  [[strikethrough]] Almost in [[/strikethrough]] Indeed a