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1860 Thurs Dec 20 musical ring bursts out at each footstep on deck. The early evening was spent sociably & pleasantly in the aft Cabin (Captain's & my joint room), Ebierbing & Tuk-oo-li-to as our visitors. Capt. B. was in his happiest mode making it impossible for any one to escape a full participation in the joyfullness of the occasion As for myself I must say a long time has it been since I enjoyed two hours more pleasantly. Ye friends at home - you who were so dear to me - only think of real enjoyments here amid nothing but ice & snow! 'Nothing but ice & snow?' Nay I take that back, for here I find [[underlined]] warm [[/underlined]] hearts & kindly hands - even among [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] those here who are considered out side of civilization. While a general conversation was going on between the parties named, Puto the Esquimaux woman with the child of the White fathers (?) came to the door [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] leading [[strikethrough]] out [[/strikethrough]] from Main to our Cabin. I thought what a capital subject for illustration the moment after she entered babe at her back facing Capt. B. he seated in his old arm chair [[strikethrough]] with [[/strikethrough]] facing her, his elbow (of left arm) resting low down with head reclining on his hand pipe in mouth, Ebierbing seated on a tripod at the left on entering - I at the opposite end of my writing table - Tuk-oo-li-too seated on the locker on my right opposite side of table from her winga. At VI o'clock, In company with little Punni, wife No 3 of Mgan, who carried the lantern - Puto with infant - & Tuk-oo-li-too, I started for North Star Village carrying a bowl of gruel for sick Nukerton. Arriving the entrance a regular Esquimaux dog fight commenced [[strikethrough]] by the [[/strikethrough]] between the village dogs & mine which [[strikethrough]] who [[/strikethrough]] had followed me. Knowing the bold "Greenlanders" would take care of themselves I took my lantern in one hand the [[space]], the gruel in the other & bowed my way along the passage leading into Chimerarchu's Igloo. On coming to the last creeping hole I [[end page]] [[start page]] 1860 Thurs. Dec 20th I found it closed with snow blocks - indicating: the habitants within retired. I cried out [[strikethrough]] Presh [[/strikethrough]] "Open Sesame" or something quite as revealent which brought naked Chimerarchu, from beneath warm tuk-too furs. He hastily rolled back the crystal doors & in I dove. I had hardly [[strikethrough]] downed [[/strikethrough]] passed the complements of the eve ere pell-mell came a bevy of dogs up the entrance where they soon commenced a pitched battle. Lantern in hand [[strikethrough]] & a [[/strikethrough]] & fully armed with a club, midst ferocious dogs I soon found myself. The lantern was soon [[underlined]] non est [[/underlined]] and then I was in Egyptian darkness fighting my way along to get out of the scrape! My dogs were mixed in in this nocturnal fight but my voice [[strikethrough]] no [[/strikethrough]] & club availed not. A dog fight the creatures would & did have. Nukerton found about the same as she has been several days. I see she has melted herself down deep into a bed of snow. I shall endeavor to remedy this to-morrow. [[strikethrough]] From here [[/strikethrough]] Chimerarchu & Kok-er-zhun were beautifully enwrapped in tuk-too furs not exactly sound asleep [[strikethrough]] la [[/strikethrough]] but abed. I sat by their side & that of poor Nukerton's chatting 1/2 an hour when I passed the "Ter-bou-e-lit' (Good night) & left. I then called on Ebierbing & Tuker-li-too & [[strikethrough]] commenced [[/strikethrough]] communicated to them the arrangement I had effected with the noble Capt B. at which they seemed highly pleased. I now think these important parties will remain here this Winter assisting in my Winter's labors & in the prep[[?]]ton
Transcription Notes:
Reviewed. Corrected for incorrect insertion designation, irrelevant strikethroughs & other transcription errors.