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1861 Mon Mar 4th
Nine struck Bar-be-Kark's tracks the distance of a mile or more from the vessel - I mean the tracks of his last return Northward. These they followed for [[strikethrough]] five [[/strikethrough]] ^[[probably 2 or so (H)]] miles nearly in a direct line - (he makes no others unless circumstances require it). The first man who arrived at the desired spot was "Sam Wilson" the organizer of this "Company of 9". He found the "Greenlanders" all seated on their haunches around the 'Rein-deer with one antler' - [[underlined]] the rein-deer dead! [[/underlined]] Nearly 1/2 mile before reaching it however, "Sam", for he goes here by this title (?) still following tracks of "Barbekark", came across a line of crimsoned snow wh. conducted him, additionally, to the victim that had thus commenced oozing out its life.
[[underlined]] The Rein deer was dead, [[/underlined]] as before remarked - [[underlined]] its throat cut with Barbe-Kark's teeth more effectively than any White man or Innuit would have thought of doing it! [[/underlined]] The Wind-pipe & jugular-vein had both been severed - [[underlined]] aye more - a piece of each, with that of the roots of the tongue, the skin & flesh covering the said pipe & vein, had been virtually bitten out! [[/underlined]]
"Bar-be-Kark", as soon as he saw "Sam" approaching, jumped from his watchful waiting position wh. was close by its defunct victim, ran to meet him ("Sam") wiggling its tail & swinging its head this & that way, jumping up & looking "Sam" in his eyes as if to say: [[underlined]] I've done the best I could [[/underlined]] "Sam", for my master - I've killed the deer with [[underlined]] one [[/underlined]] antler - eaten just [[underlined]] one [[/underlined]] luscious mouthfull - of skin, flesh, wind-pipe & jugular vein, including the roots of tongue - lapped up some blood. I present to the officers & men of the George Henry in the name of Master Hall, this noble fellow, reserving to myself & faithful companions (whom you see have done their best to assist me) only such portions of it as [[underlined]] white men[[/underlined]] will disdain to eat.
Thanking you for coming up, I now commit this to your charge!' Quite a dog-speech by the by
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1861 Mon Mar 4th
As the "company of 9" came up standing around the noble fellow that seemed to invite to rich feasts of its steaks, three cheers we given for the "Knowing-dog" "Bar-be-Kark"!
By the report, the excitement among them was so [[underlined]] heartfelt & unrestrained [[/underlined]] that it might well be compared to that which was then probably prevailing at Home (in Washington) among the party friends of the New President!
The snow around this death-spot showed that a terrible fight had ensued before deer gave up its life. Somehow during this struggle the victim had his left hind leg broken.
When the men came up to it, a dozen Crows were upon its carcase, picking away at the hair. They had made several spots bare. A curious fact that I have before noticed - my "Greenlanders" & Crows are great friends - seem to associate in perfect unison! The latter even flying playfully around the dogs, occasionally resting on their backs.
The Rein-deer soon after its deposit on the Galley door was distributed among the Ship's Company, fore & aft. To-morrow we commence to feast on the product of "Knowing dog Bar-be-Kark's" extraordinary services of this day!
When it was demonstrated that "Barbekark" had performed this noble deed, we began to put on our [[underlined]] thinking - reflecting caps! [[/underlined]] When he came back as I have said, he did (about 12) covered with fresh blood (around his mouth & on his body) he called (whining invitingly) on various parties of the vessel. Capt. B. now says he recollects "Barbekark" came to him, jumping up & playing unusual pranks - then running
