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1861 Apr 12 Friday
PM
Observations for Azimuth
[[note]] [[symbol: Sun]] Log & Azimuth Compass. [[/note]]
h m s
3-57-40 = 47[[degree symbol]]
4-01-40 = 46
4-05-40 = 45
[[strikethrough]] 4-14-00 [[/strikethrough]]
4-21-00 42[[degree symbol]]
[[line]] [[line]]
4)16-26 00 4) 180[[degree symbol]]
[[line]] [[line]]
^[[h m s]]
4-06-s30] 45[[degree symbol]]
[[encircled]] Slow W. [[strikethrough]] past [[/strikethrough]] on Apparent Time [[/encircled]]
---- +8-25.]
^[[h m s]]
Apparent } = 4=14=35 = 45[[degree symbol]] = (4-14-44 PM)
^[[App Time]]
Time } ^ h - m - s)
} (P.M.)
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A fine time did I have to-day on my mountain tramp. It was however dangerous business going up [[strikethrough]] its [[/strikethrough]] the Mountain's steep, icy & hard snow covered sides - [[underlined]] more especially coming down. [[/underlined]] Any one who is experienced in mountain climbing & [[underlined]] descending [[/underlined]] - such as here, must know that the [[underlined]] latter [[/underlined]] is far more difficult.
It was interesting while up there. While I made my observations, my Innuit companion slept! He laid himself down on a bed of snow & seemed to be as comfortable & happy in the land of dreams as any White man on his bed of "Down"! As we started to descend, I noticed that he picked up a long sharp stone.) (On the peak many places were bear, the winds having swept the rocks clear of snow) I could not imagine what use was to made of this. I said nothing. As we descended the track we went up, I soon found what object the Innuit had with the stone. It was to cut steps in the icy-snow [[underlined]] by wh. we could descend. [[/underlined]] It is true we made out to get up, with [[underlined]] great care [[/underlined]] & [[underlined]] perseverance, [[/underlined]] but to descend was manyfold worse. A misstep - a slip - would send us down at a [[underlined]] terrible [[/underlined]] rate & over [[underlined]] terrible [[/underlined]] places. This stone, in the dexterous hand of Innuit cutting foot-holds for us, saved
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1861 Fri Apr. 12
perhaps some unpleasant falls leaving out all thoughts of broken Instruments & heads!
To-night Aurora beautiful as usual. Its rays shoot up somewhat more dome-like than is usual for it here.
It extends N.W. around to the S. & thence to the E.
[[underlined]] How many are the times I am blessed with the sight of this phenomenon! [[/underlined]] Its changes are constantly going on - I never see it twice alike! [[underlined]] Every moment [[/underlined]] the scene changes. In bright disorder the heavens are almost nightly]] painted with the blaze of this [[underlined]] incomprehensible, incomparable, inconceivable light! [[/underlined]] As its brightness oft is mirrored by my eyes - [[underlined]] & soul, [[/underlined]] I as often feel: I am truly "Arrayed in glory, & enthroned in light". [[/underlined]]
XI O'Clock (night) A few minutes ago & I came from deck. The Aurora was there nearly arched to Zenith. I have just been up - all is gone! Not a beam anywhere visible. The stars have it now all to themselves - Jupiter bearing the palm, as he out-shines them all!
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Saturday, Apr. 13th 1861.
O'Clk T. B. W
6 -6[[degree symbol]] 28.675 N.W. (Light) Some clouds but pleasant
IX +8[[degree symbol]] light snow
M +5 28.700 N.E. -------- Fair
E +4 28.675 N.W.
IX 28.675 N.E. Weather thick (storm breaking)
(VI AM) This Morning I must start off for the head of this Bay to [[underlined]] Triangulate. [[/underlined]] I shall probably not return till night. I trust I shall being back sufficient angles, taken with Sextant & Az. Comp., by which the upper, or N. Western portion of "Rescue Bay", may be correctly entered upon my Chart of these Regions.
