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1861 Mon Mar 4th closed to our sight by the numerous islands at the head of the Bay among wh. the former lead the way. For a while Nothing more was thought of this affair, save the almost universal regrets that the dogs would not be able to find their way back, so far away would they be led by the enticing game. A little before 12 (Meridian) Bar-be-Kark was seen far away to the N.N.W. still in chase of one deer. A short time after he returned. The report came down into the Cabin that "Barbekark" had returned with blood be-sprinkled over him from "teeth to tail". I was engaged busily writing & did not give more than a thought of this. Every one "aft" seemed satisfied that the idea wh. some one suggested that possibly Barbekark had killed a deer was too preposterous to be entertained. "Knowing-ones" who have made many voyages to these Northern Regions & wintering here, declared they never Knew a dog to be of any use in deer hunting here - & as for a dog killing one that could'nt be. Even the Innuits laughed at the idea that a dog could kill a Tuk-too! Bar-be-Kark remained about the vessel about an hour, when he was missed again. It seems, the Blood upon the dog, to-gether with his strange conduct while about the vessel on his 1st return, excited some of the forward hands (9 of them) to follow the tracks of Barbekark when he last left. At 2 1/2 O'Clock they started out, fully rigged for braving a long tramp over ices & snows in the midst of the inclement weather we have to-day experienced. At 1/2 past 4 PM, we looked out in the direction this Company had gone. They were returning! As they approached all the glasses aboard were in constant use. One said 'They are trying "to fool" us - each having upon his [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 Mon Mar 4 shoulder a stone or a portion of his garments wrapped up to make us think they have secured the deer!' When within a mile, the truth came into our souls through the glasses:- They had fresh meat - [[underlined]] they had the Rein-deer with one Antler! [[/underlined]] I never saw a body of strong nerved men so electrified - so completely thrown onto their "beam ends" as those around me when the truth was told - [[underlined]] was heard & seen! [[/underlined]] I partook of the feeling of all the others. The [[underlined]] same [[/underlined]] prevailed the hearts of all. Even as I write, I can hardly believe all that has transpired relation to this deer-hunt of to-day! Nearer & nearer the Company of "Nine" drew to the "George Henry". One had the skin (like Hercules (with the Nemean lion skin)) on his back - another had 1/2 of the Saddle - another a fore quarter with leg & hoof - another the like - another the head with the [[underlined]] single antler [[/underlined]] - another another portion & so on to the No 9, all crarrying the victim on their shoulders! Like "victors with spoils" marched these men up the ice steps leading to the star-board gang-way, depositing their varied loads [[underlined]] triumphantly [[/underlined]] on to the scuttle-door leading down into the vessel's Winter Galley - the Cook's room. Every officer & man of the "George Henry" - & All the Innuits, & Innuit-dogs were now congregated around this meat pile - the trophy of my dog "BAR-BE-KARK". The astonishment indeed was so great with all, that hardly a man knew what to say. The story - the facts at length one by one - came out. Here they are: The Company of
