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1861 Feb 21 Thursday

We passed [[?]] along - nearly in the track as the one we went up in, with this important exception, our travelling to-day was direct, while that of going up was zig-zag caused by the broken character of the ice & the icebergs all of wh. had been swept out by gales & a raging sea!

The Sun on rising, when one of his diameter's above the horizon 205° by small Magnetic Needle - place 4 1/2 miles S. of the Igloos.

The Leader, "Smile", scents the air.  A Polar Bear about.  At X AM lunch on frozen seal - all the party participating.  Dinner on same luxurious provision.  Kunnia taking the precaution to take along with her a qt Bottle of Snow-water with wh. to ice the sledge runners.  She carries the same in her Hood, the bottle resting, as an infant, next her beare back!  Not only kept from freezing, but really at the temperature of Innuit Blood!  The Polar Bear tracks!  Our Course from the Igloos due South, [[underlined]] till 2 1/2 P.M.  At 3 1/4 Oclock PM made land having travelled 1 1/4 hour NW [[/underlined]] by Compass [[?term]] S73W = to extent of Bergy Bay.  Arrived at sea-ice N.E. part of Rescue Harbor at VI having passedover the land route in [[underlined]] 2 3/4 hours. [[/underlined]]  Crossing the winding of the vallies among the mountains came to a small body of fresh water.  The procedure of Ugarny to obtain fresh water for all of us who were very thirsty.  The Seal spear used as an ice chisel by one hand.  Having dug away the Snow some 3 feet deep (instead of taking a place where the ice was beare commenced ice cutting.  12 inch thickness.  On enquiry found that the Innuits seek a place where there is a heavy body of snow knowing that its weight depresses the ice beneath the water.  Over this water wh. overflows the 1st heavy ice formes another coating of ice.  This last is what the Innuits penetrate for water!  In 5 minutes from the time Ugarny commenced operation we were cooling our thirsty tongues!

Arrived at the "George Henry" at 1/2 pass VI this Eve the whole Ship's Company out Welcoming me back again.

My friend, Capt. Budington standing by the companion-way welcomes me with warm shakes of clasped hands.  He orders the Steward to prepare for the refreshing the inward man - my hearty supper.  The joy I felt of once more 

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1861 Thursday Feb.

being in midst of old familiar faces.  The happily spent evening.  The pleasure it gave all to hear of the final good success of the Sealers at Oo-Kood-lear.

The report of Mr. Sterry of the portion of my party wh. went to Frobisher Bay!  This I will endeavor to incorporate hereafter in my Journal as it is indeed interesting I may say [[underlined]] thrilling [[/underlined]] on account of the sufferings experienced by them as well as by the many Innuits over there.

The hot water - or "Fire Water" (10 Gallon Key) which was "under Seal", gone!  The apology of my friend for it.  All the Ship's Company well, save a case or two that has the show of the Scurvy.  Capt. B.'s skill & experience will baffle all this.  He has stopped their rations of "Salt Junk" & Salt Pork serving other & better food in their place.

Friday, Feb. 22d 1861

This, of course, is the anniversary of Washington's Birth Day, one that should be remembered & commemorated by every American & true friend to Freedom & Greatness wherever he may be.  My heart's devotion to the Cause for which he lived & to which he was ever devoted, living or dying.

Last night was a sleepless one for me - not because of the want of excellent accomodations, but on account of the