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(6 1861 [[symbol: cross]] Mar 17 (John Brown) started from the Igloos of Frobisher Bay with them (Que-jes-se & Charlie) - that he (Brown) finally left them & came on ahead - that they saw nothing more of Brown; but, as they passed from the land on to the ice of Rescue Bay this side, saw his tracks - & wished to know of [[strikethrough]] him [[/strikethrough]] Bailey what time Brown [[strikethrough]] got [[/strikethrough]] arrived at the vessel. Bailey had just ascertained from the hands forward, where Brown belonged, that [[underlined]] he had not arrived! [[/underlined]] At once, feeling the awful condition of the case, I rushed down into the Cabin - made my way to Capt. Budington's room, where I found him making ready for his usual deck-walk & announced to him the facts I had just learned, telling him of my immediate readiness to [[strikethrough]] ascertain [[/strikethrough]] go in search of him whom I knew must be [[underlined]] a lost suffering - [[/underlined]] or [[strikethrough]] & [[/strikethrough]] as I feared, from the [[underlined]] Cold [[/underlined]] of the night, (57[[degree symbol]] below freezing point) - dead man! Capt B. instantly went forward & learned what I told him was too true - that [[underlined]] Brown had not arrived [[/underlined]] - only a bundle of blankets & fresh Walrus meat belonging to [[strikethrough]] B. [[/strikethrough]] Brown was there, just brought in by "Charley" the same having [[strikethrough]] come in, [[/strikethrough]] been placed on the sledge by Brown [[strikethrough]] at [[/strikethrough]] on the point of starting home. Capt. B. ordered Brown's ship companions to go in immediate search. This was responded to cheerfully, of course. Capt. B. returned to the Aft Cabin & told me that parties were [[strikethrough]] already [[/strikethrough]] getting ready to move. As fast as I could I made the exchange of Civilization dress for my Innuit costume. With my Marine glass & Compass in hand, I made my way on deck. A company of 10 men met me there prepared for momentous work before us. The thought struck me that we should have along with us one of the Innuits of the sledge party that came in last night - either Que-jes-se [[end page]] [[start page]] (7 1861 [[symbol: cross]] Mar 17 or Charley (Koo-per-nu-ung). Seeing the former on deck, I asked him to accompany. He quickly joined in. Our first work was to go to the spot where the tracks of poor Brown were seen as reported. We started (hVIII-m20 AM) taking a [[underlined]] true [[/underlined]] ^[[Hall W.N.W.]] [[strikethrough]] N.N.E. [[/strikethrough]] Course. Our movements were rapid impelled by the feeling that moved all hearts that we might be in time to save human life! It was only occasionally that we [[underlined]] walked - we run! [[/underlined]] I felt: O, that we had wings & could determine [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] this matter in a few moments instead of the hours that it might require! Que-jess-se & Sam, both great travellers, were for going with all their immediate might & strength. I knew this would not do - that by [[strikethrough]] these [[/strikethrough]] this course they would not only sacrifice their own important services for a [[underlined]] long search [[/underlined]] wh. evidently [[underlined]] it would be, [[/underlined]] but that of all the men. I therefore repeatedly cautioned them to do as [[underlined]] they [[/underlined]] & all of the best travellers among us could hold out. But no - reason & prudence, looking ahead to the prolonged hours that might be required in this painful service, would not stay them. One after another of our Company of 10 fell back. Ere we got within two miles of the tracks, Que-jes-se gave out - he was [[strikethrough]] slack [[/strikethrough]] obliged to move with slow steps from his own exertion. The sequel will show the judiciousness of my advice wh. was friendly acknowledged by all even Sam. I may as well state here that after proceeding 3 miles on starting from the vessel, I saw away in the distance, objects that appeared moving. I called attention to them. Then I first learned that a party of 5 had proceeded us in this Search
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