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1861 Thurs Mar. 7th

the stars.  I think it to be Aurora uniformly diffused, without any of the usual display in [[strikethrough]] of [[/strikethrough]] beams or rays.

Eleven years ago, [[underlined]] to-day [[/underlined]], Capt. Budington started on his first voyage to the "Davis Straits Whale Fishery.

As matters relative to the deer-hunt of the fourth (Mar) should be here stated.  In curing the skin (deer skin a process being done by Innuits) my Rifle ball was found in a piece of venison adhering to the skin portion that covered the hip.  The Ball had penetrated through the skin - & was flattened by striking the hip bone.  However this does not detract from the interest of the story told -  I have the Ball.  I shall keep it in memory of the day!

Friday, March, 8th  1861

Ther  AM  M PM 
-25[[degree symbol]] -8[[degree symbol]] -24[[degree symbol]] 
Wind N.W. NE N.E 
Weather Cloudy, Cloudy | some stars 

The Morning over-cast with clouds.  Ther. down -25[[degree symbol]] Wind modt from N.W. - By Noon, began to blow strong from N.E. & now so continues; promising evidently a gale.  There is little to record of to-day.  Men of the G. H. been amusing themselves this P.M. playing "Dominoes." 

Capt. B. awaits pleasant weather that he may make his trip by means of dogs & sledge to the point where he intends to make his headquarters for Spring Whaling.  He has been at work trying to put in order the Barometer ("Aneroid") wh. has been out of order [[strikethrough]] for [[/strikethrough]] since some days prior to my return to the vessel to this present.

I will record its state, for a while, to see if it [[strikethrough]] is a [[/strikethrough]] responds to the changes of the pressure of the air as formerly.

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Que-jesse & "Charley" started out this [[strikethrough]] AM [[/strikethrough]] P.M. to find Seal-holes - Each found one.  They will try their Seal hunting qualities over these holes to-morrow if the weather will admit of it.

The Aurora at this hour (X PM) is to be seen faintly at play near the Zenith, bearing South.  The stars in the Southern, Eastern & Western sky are out, while N. one sheet of cloud.

Saturday, Mar. 9th 1861
Therm. this AM -22[[degree symbol]] Wind Strong N.W. Cloudy
" " [[dittos for: Therm. this]] M -10[[degree symbol]] " [[ditto for: Wind]] Gale N.W. Sun
" " [[dittos for: Therm this]] PM -20 " " [[dittos for: Wind Gale]] Stars out

To-day a gale has prevailed from the N.W. The cold has been [[underlined]] penetrating. [/underlined]]  To face such wind & cold for any considerable length of time would be hazidous - indeed fool-hardy unless the case was actually necessitous.

Capt. B. while all the steerage men were in the Cabin asked this question: 'Now gentlemen, who at home do you think will believe that story relative to "Bar-be-kark's" conduct on the day of the deer-hunt?'  The general answer was: 'Not one in a thousand will [[strikethrough]] would [[/strikethrough]] believe it!'
'In fact', said Capt. B. [[underlined]] 'I can hardly believe it myself - & yet it was so'! [[/underlined]]

"Bar-be-Kark" certainly exercised qualities that show him to be a dog of no ordinary character.  Among his [[underlined]] virtues [[/underlined]] (?) I might reckon that of possessing a [[underlined]] cunning disposition! [[/underlined]] His looks - his face - show this.  He might well be denominated, [[underlined]] 'The fox dog, [[/underlined]] "Canis lupaster", claiming for him a stronger hold on "Olden Times" than any other species or varieties.  The fox dog

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