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1861 [[symbol: cross]] Jan 13th - palpable proof that Seals were here in "Budington Bay". Ugarny & Kun-ni-u were really delighted to see - & my company. (In parenthesis, I will state that we came across several Seal-holes to-day, one of wh. I approached just in time to know that a Seal was departing therefrom by the noise of my untutored careless steps. The Seal hole (opening of the upper surface of the ice) is not larger than a ten cent piece (Federal coin of U.S.) The lower portion is larger being somewhat cone shape, say like an inverted tunnel. The Seal visits his holes for the purpose of breathing keeping them of sufficient size to admit his head. The upper surface of the ice covering the Igloo or place for his head is uniformly raised 2 & 3 inches higher than the main body of the ice. We saw a distance ahead of us one Seal wholly out on the ice; but it soon plunged into the tarrooke (Sea). The fine dog, "Smile", the leader belonging to Tukoolitoo, a gift of her brother, "Tu-to", often turned aside at the scenting of a Seal. Allowing him liberty, as we frequently did he soon led all to a Seal-hole. It mattered not whether the hole was visible or 3 feet beneath the snow! Seal-holes can be found without the aid of dogs where there is no snow but when the holes are covered up with snow, as they generally are on old ice, then nothing can be done in finding them except with Sealing dogs. The spot beneath the snow being indicated by the dog, the Sealer proceeds with his oo-nar (Seal Spear) to strike down here & there through the snow till he finally hits the (only through the ice) tiny hole - Over this he sits or stands till a "blow" from the Seal is heard, then with well aimed oo-nar he strikes [[underlined]] his [[/underlined]] blow soon drawing forth the meat & light of his household.) The Igloo completed & every thing in order, soon in came a present from Ugarny wh. consisted of Ook-Sook Seal blubber for the Ik-kumer (Fire Lamp) & Seal meat for the company's supper. We had burnt our last oil in the last Igloo wh. we left this Morning. [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 [[symbol: cross]] Jan 13th This sharing in Seals captured is characteristic of the Innuits! A worthy one indeed! A capital supper here we had. The Aurora is finely gilding the heavens to-night. The crescent looks a thing of beauty in the sky S. Westerly. Monday, Jan 14, 1861 5th Night in an Igloo! The ice over which we made our 1st & 2d Igloo is gone!! For miles the ice over wh. we made our passage yesterday is also gone - gone Sea-ward!!! This we can see from the mountain top behind our little village of Igloos. Fifth night in an Igloo is this! Now 4 nights & a portion of this, have I spent [[strikethrough]] in [[/strikethrough]] beneath snow domes - encircled in snow walls! with Innuits - & only Innuits! Here I make record, that my American friends may see how I like it: Never have I spent more comfortable house than with my kind & noble friends, Ebierbing & Tuk-oo-li-too. Comfortably & pleasantly withal! The men Innuits have been out Sealing to-day Their success fine - a Seal weighing full 200 lbs being the reward of the day's labor. This Seal was captured by Kood-loo - Of course it belongs to our Igloo. A Seal Feast [[strikethrough]] is [[/strikethrough]] has been held here to-night in wh. each one of the 3 Igloos has heartily & [[underlined]] stomachically [[/underlined]] participated!
Transcription Notes:
Reviewed. Corrected for incorrect insertion designation, irrelevant strikethroughs etc.
