Viewing page 27 of 661

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

(4
1861 June 22 Sat.

Vessel.  This added to our load, we started on.  As we proceeded, the low land at the extreme of the Bay over which I caught my 1st glimpse of "Meta Incognita" last fall, while on deck of the now wrecked "Rescue", appeared in sight.  By this land, I knew we could not be far from our destination.  The melted snows now covered the Bay ice almost uniformly.  In many places however we did come to deep water the sledge plunging down beam deep.  The dogs did not like it exhibiting their preference in travelling over dry places by directing their heads & feet to every little bank of snow that was above water near our course.
 
[[underlined]] At two o'clock [[/underlined]] of this morning, we were at the Head of the Bay.  From here we turned Westward toward Budingtonville following the sinuosities of the coast [[strikethrough]] of the Bay just passed over [[/strikethrough]] for two miles, when we struck across the narrow low strip of land dividing it from Frobisher Bay.  A few minutes sufficed to find us working along slowly the shore ice of Tin-nu-jok-ping-goose-ong which was badly broken up.  The Bay itself - the main Bay of Frobisher - Innuit name Tin-nu-jok-ping goo se-ong - is free of ice save now then a straggler Berg or floe pieces that wind & tide drive from Davis Strait.

A few hard knocks & scrapings did our Kummitie & we get while driving along the shore this side.  I did not mind all this on my own part but the chronometer - [[underlined]] I had great anxiety for that. [[/underlined]]  Occasionally the dogs would go "full mell" down & over the steep broken ice where sledge would butt ram like against a perpendicular unyielding hummock, sending us forward something like a stone leaving on a tangent the swiftly revolving sling.  But we arrived in sight of Budingtonville at VII-10 or rather 19th hour 10m by the still beating Chro. or 2-30 AM Rescue Harbor Time.  As my eye 1st caught a sight of Budingtonville I thought it is misnomer - Why did I not name it "Budington City"? for certainly its numerous thickly crowded habitations - its mills (Wind Toy size & grist mills) [[insertion]] [[underlined]] (Toy wind mills) [[/underlined]] [[/insertion]] its liberty pole holding high & square to the breeze the emblematic flag entitle it to the high - (for its [[underlined]] high [[/underlined]] latitude) title: - City - "Budington City" after the name of the noble founder.

I was surprised to find the town so early in motion.  Every pinnacled rock held a beholder of our approach.  Really I began to think of "Triumphs" awarded to the [[underlined]] Great [[/underlined]] of Old Rome.  The dogs soon [[underlined]] landed [[/underlined]] us on [[underlined]] rocks [[/underlined]] as they had done several times during the morning which by the by was no easy place for riding to or of [[underlined]] easy [[/underlined]] draught to them.  But this last landing was about in the right place - in 

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

(5)
1861 June 22 Sat.

the "Public Square" of the town.  The 1st hand to greet mine was Capt. Budington's.  It was as it [[underlined]] always is - warm & enspiriting. [[/underlined]]

The "George Henry's" whole Company as well as the natives seemed out to participate in the fresh arrival.  I felt as if I were home again midst so many familiar, friendly faces.  Indeed, I am at home whenever I meet my friend Capt. Budington.  
I was hastened in to the quarters of Capt. B. & his officers.  Here I was regaled with as good a breakfast as need be.  Questions & answers flowed freely from all.  One great point was how & when I got back from the [[underlined]] "Unknown [[/underlined]] land" which I had lately visited. 

I may here state that on my leaving for said land I told the steward that if I did not return by the end of 10 days (tho' I did not expect to be absent but 4) that it might signify I was in trouble - unable to return - that he should then acquaint Capt. B. with what I had communicated to him (steward) & if he (Capt. B.) saw fit & convenient to send a force after us to do so.  
I took in consideration this fact that the land I was about to visit consisted of Islands, that a gale might come up that would sweep the ice - the only chance of return from Rescue Bay.  I knew that on the Frobisher Bay side was clear of ice.  My dependence for travelling was on the ice of Fr. Bay.  As it was, [[underlined]] the return was by the Hand of Providence. [[/underlined]]  When I & my company went out, not a crack in the ice - the travelling only obstructed by the hummocks near the other side - otherwise as fine crossing the Bay as though a marbled floor - but the return?  It was over broken, pummiced ice - ice that was dancing or swaying to & fro from the effects of the gale experienced the day preceeding our return.  The wind while we were crossing this ice on the return, was in the right direction to keep it in (N.E.).  Had it whipped around to W. or N.W. the ice would have taken us sea-ward.  Thank God, He preserved us for more of Life's duties:-  May I not forget - or neglect to perform - the [[underlined]] greatest [[/underlined]] which is love & serve Him.

After spending an hour or so in conversation with my friends I took a walk along shore N.W.  I was surprised to find fossil stone so abundant.  Of course, I gathered up "specimens" for sending to the States.

This has been the 1st day for 2 weeks that Boats could be sent out to cruise for whales owing to the bad weather that has constantly prevailed.  All the Boats have been out today 

Transcription Notes:
Reviewed.