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1861 Mon Feb 18

Kum-mi-ti again "rushed on to battle" [[underlined]] for Whale! [[/underlined]]  This was a fact well demonstrated:  that [[underlined]] Innuit dogs can well start a sledge & keep it a-going when under way, [[/underlined]] though it is their usual way to let [[underlined]] human [[/underlined]] power [[underlined]] start [[/underlined]] it, when dogs will then join in, until something obstructs, then they at once, "give in" some sitting down, laying down & others turning squarely around & laughing in your very face, as if saying:  'When you will start this load we'll go ahead, & [[underlined]] not one inch will we 'budge' till then!' [[/underlined]]

At last dogs were fed up - at least, we gave them all we were a mind to, putting the remnants of [[underlined]] Krang [[/underlined]] on the sledge for their future benefit.  By this time, Ugarny came up, saying:  'Pussy na-me', (Seals none).  Then away we started, our course due South.  The wind was fresh from the N. [[underlined]] & cold. [[/underlined]]  While the Sun shone brightly on our front, keeping noses at a bearable heat, our backs were in a temperature of 57° below freezing point.  I turned around at various times as we passed along & each time of so doing, in [[underlined]] one instant [[/underlined]] my "eye-winkers" became fast frozen together, & my nose & face tingled with the cold, swiftly moving air!  I tried the experiment of giving myself a turn on the heel.  So soon as my face left the bright, warm Sun & got fairly to the N. wind, the effects were as above described!  We passed [[underlined]] some 4 miles, when we reached the S. point of Oo-Kood-lear Island, [[/underlined]] where terminates by opening wide to the Bay of Budington the small channel that extends away to the Northward & Westward making said land an Island.  

Here Ugarny advised with me.  The conclusion was for me to leave the party & hasten on to the Igloos as the prospect was that it would be late before the heavily laden sledge could reach there.  At 1st I declined parting from the company, but on reflection, I bed them a kindly good bye & struck for Home.  One thing that made me hesitate was that I considered it imprudent with such a wind & temperature to venture on alone.  My nose, face, or some other part of my body, might become frozen & [[underlined]] alone [[/underlined]] on such occasions, is not so pleasant.  I had taken the precaution on starting on this Excursion of taking with me T.'s pocket looking glass so that I might have this to tell me the condition of my face, if circumstances required at any time of being out alone.  But unfortunately, I had placed this faithful "sentinel" in my side pocket.  When I awoke this morning, (I slept in my native rig) I found, to my sorrow, that I had broken it - smashed the glass into fragments!  Here I will, (though fool-like) incorporate what rushed into my mind on the instant of discovering this mishap in spite of all my protestations otherwise:  'A friend is about to die'!  I laugh at the idea, when thinking of the matter.  When I hear like stories, I treat them indifferently.  But when it comes [[underlined]] home, [[/underlined]] I cannot but feel serious - [[underlined]] now & then! [[/underlined]]  At the same time the connection is nonsense!

When opposite Kou-tuk-ju-a (it being W. (due)) I about mid-way of Budington Bay, it was 1 o'clock 10 minutes.  I moved toward my Northern Home with quick steps, the familiar friendly mountain behind our Igloo bidding me:  'Come On'.

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1861 Mon. Feb 18

Every now & then I seated myself on an upturned slab of ice - sung Old Hundred & other familiar tunes thus resting.  Passing Chapel ice-berg now fast out in the ice of B. Bay near head of Rogers Island.  When within one mile of the Igloos I saw close by ours, 2 Innuits standing & looking out for me.  I readily guessed after a good look through my "Marine" who these figures were - my friends Ebierbing & Tuk-o-li-too.  Before arriving opposite Home where I have spent nearly all my time since leaving the vessel I made the land over the broken ice lining the shore.  I saw Ebierbing coming to meet me. He extended his warm hand greeting me:  'Welcome back again!'  We hastened to the Igloo where I received with heartfelt Welcomings as were indicated by the glowing smiles & extended hands of the wife Tuk-oo-li-too.  All the warm expressions of old friends came forth from each of us, E. & T. saying that my three days & two nights absence seemed to them more than 2 weeks!  My return was anticipated;  for a bowl of hot coffee & a dish of boiled rice were in readiness as well as any quantity of seal I might desire!

The rice I shared with E. & T. declining to eat of it [[underlined]] alone. [[/underlined]]  They at first declined saying that they had eaten their share.  (On leaving, I told T. to make for herself & winga a dish of rice etc. etc.)  I also left direction that they should help themselves to so much per day of Bread, Coffee &c while I was absent as they had rationed to them while I was with them.  To my joy I found that E had brought in a very large Seal last night (X o'clock) wh. he captured an hour before having been out only from Noon of yesterday to the time as stated.  The weight of this seal (Male) was 300 lbs.!  This makes 9 seals of E's capturing since his return from the vessel in 3 weeks & 3 days.  I reached here [[underlined]] hV-m20 [[/underlined]] making [[underlined]] 4 hours 10 min. from parrellel Koutukjua. [[/underlined]]  Two hours after, the sledge company arrived.  They were obliged to leave the largest Seal 3 miles back depositing it beneath an ice covering as the hummocks would not admit of fast travelling with full load.  Ugarny & Kunnia have been gone one week & obtained 4 seals & 1 Rabbit.  Ebierbing was absent 3 days & got 4, tho' he killed 6!  This (of to-night) is the 1st provision that he has brought in since Thurs. Jan 31st.  Ugarny has caught 8 seals since his arrival here (7 weeks).  E. 9 in 5 weeks & 4 days.  Jack 2 in 7 weeks,  Koodloo on our arrival 1.  Total 20!  I find AngeKo has built him an Igloo since me leaving - now 5 Igloos here.

41st Night in an Igloo
Tuesday, Feb 19th, 1861

According to arrangement made several days ago U. E. Jack & AngeKo started this morning VIII o'clk walk to the new ice for sealing!  They took Kummiti & dogs.  Jack's wife sends in string of beads for some seal meat of T. the fact that Polly (U. wife No1) did not as is usual with Innuits, send in anything on the arrival of the bountiful supply last night.  Tuk-oo-li-too sends back beads & a supply of seal met.  T. indignant to learn that the very parties whom she (T.) has sustained for weeks on Ook-sook & meet should not assist now in supporting the unfortunate.

AngeKo & 2 wives still living off the product of E's labors.

At VIII this Eve Seal party returned with one Seal wh. was caught by Ebierbing.  E. says the day was too fine - sunny - that the seals could see through the new ice.  "Too much Sun".  He says plenty of Seal holes - having found 5 himself.  This Sealer came near capturing the second one!

Shall return to the vessel day after to-morrow.  The fried Seal!  Cakes! - T. & my supper-hour eaten.  To-morrow feed up the dogs & give them rest.