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1861 Fri. Jan 25 had this been predicted to me by some seeth when I left the States? A few day after, said hirsuter material met my humbled eyes precisely as clipped, having passed through the labyninthian way leading from a dog's mouth onwards. I saw this decorating one of the snow steps leading to the Wad-ling (outer dome) of our present Igloo. This evening was spent by an extended & deeply interesting conversation with Ebierbing who related to me all the news my enquiring thirst could draw from him. In congratulation & commemoration of the event of this timeful & blessed arrival the "Main brace was spliced" with something that smells Alcoholic (?) sent me by Capt. B. I must [[strikethrough]] not [[/strikethrough]] now relate the capture of the Seal by E. on his way up. On his passage down he discovered a Seal-hole short distance this side the 2nd Igloo we made on our way here. This hole he marked by setting up a pillar of ice wh. he made distinguishable by squirting civilization (?) paint (tobacco juice) upon it! On E's return, he said [[underlined]] mark [[/underlined]] he found the hole again on the eve of the day he left the vessel. Here he made a night's stop for the sole purpose of capturing a Seal. He had received positive instruction from Capt B to hasten to my relief loosing not a moment in unnecessary stoppages - not to sleep or anything else not imperative. Binding my shawl & the Tuk-too skirt of Tuk-oo-li-too around his feet & legs, Oo-nar (Seal-spear) in hand he had his position over Seal-hole & as the day began to dawn upon him the welcome "blow", of Seal was repeatedly heard. Oo-nar well poised & struck when Blessing No 3 was laid along side of No 2 - the rest has been told. Over said Seal-hole, Ebierbing stood the night long "without a wink of sleep". It was a night well spent. The Seal-hole over wh. he stood was buried in 2 feet of Snow. Of course "Smile" had smelt it out - had indicated the spot where it was. Having thrust the spindle shank of the Oo-nar a score of times down through the snow E. finally hit the little hole leading through the ice. As it was a dark night after the Moon had set to know [[underlined]] exactly [[/underlined]] where to strike with his Seal-Spear (in making fast to a Seal it will not do to vary 1/4 of an inch from the aimed-at-spot) E. put some dark Tuk-too (Rein-deer) hair on the snow 2 feet above but directly over the Seal hole! I have said 'it was a night well spent'. It [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 Fri. Jan 25 gave us all here happy thoughts - rejoicing thankful hearts. Ebierbing rejoiced still more over his success when I told him that no Seal had been taken during his absence. Ebierbing left the vessel 8 o'clock Thursday Morn (24th) & arrived here but 2 hours later the next day Friday the 25th. While at Rescue Harbor (Kneugumink) E. built a new Igloo for his grandmother. He tells me she came near loosing her life a few nights ago. A portion of the dome of the Igloo gave away [[strikethrough]] by [[/strikethrough]] from the effects of the snow storm then prevailing. It happened during the night. In the morning the old lady was found beneath a snow pile. In digging her out now & then a low voice was heard wh. inspired the men of the George Henry who proved themselves not wanting when humanity makes a call, to quick work. [[line across page]] 17th Night in an Igloo! Saturday, Jan 26th 1861. This morning the men Innuits, Ebierbing Ugarny & Jack started off South for Sealing - to mes-sa-poke (far away) Before starting, Ugarny came into our Igloo while were at breakfast. I gave him a slice of boiled beef & 2/3d of a sea biscuit wh. he received gratefully, while Tuk-oo-li-too supplied him with a flowing bowl of hot coffee. I took the opportunity of doing as I told him I would at the time (eve preceeding) my attempt to go to the vessel - that is if would let me have some Whale meat for my dogs I would give him some bread on its arrival. I therefore gave him 3 cakes wh. gave him much joy, especially as I requested him to give a good proportion of it to Nik-u-jar (Polly) his family wife No 1. A few moments after, Jack came in. I gave him also a piece of Beef with 1/2 Sea Cake. T. added to this repast of Jack's a cup of hot coffee. Thus my provision meat, bread coffee etc goes as capital stock for the Sealing business! The occasion however was a happy one & seemed to be well appreciated. On departing I gave E. a good slice of Pork - 2 of Beef & some bread also gave Jack a piece of Beef a part of Sea Cake, done
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