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(18
1861 Oct. 17 Ths.

upon him.  Capt. B. during the evening proceeded to state that from various circumstances during the year he had been thinking there might be something of the kind (to wit Pack coming down Davis Strait) - he proceeded to say the Winter (last) hung on late - there has been no Summer - the year has been an unusual cold one - the water of the Bay has been almost of sea-ice temperature while now the 1st cold snap turns it at once into porridge - then into solid ice.  All these results are from the heavy Pack that has probably been coming down Davis Strait nearly all the Season.  Capt. B. says that to take the Pack such as I have described it to be in 2 spots at this Season of the year [[underlined]] would be the very height of fool-hardiness. [[/underlined]]
In the Spring the Whalers do not hesitate to do it, for then constant daylight & warm thawing weathers are expected.  But now every thing is freezing up.  Long, dark nights are upon us - & again, the "George Henry" is not such a vessel, [[underlined]] by any means, [[/underlined]] that one should think of venturing with her into dangerous places.
Capt. B. is thankful that I [[underlined]] made the trip I have to-day. [[/underlined]]  He says, 'What would have been our condition had you (I) not seen & reported this?  Soon as possible I (Capt B) should have been on our way - I (Capt B) should have drawn up anchors & raised sail at the 1st fair wind.  But in what kind of fix would we soon have found ourselves?  [[underlined]] In the Pack without power of retreat!' [[/underlined]]

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(19
1861 Oct 17 Ths.

To-morrow morning Capt B. goes out for the object of visiting some point overlooking "Davis Strait" near entrance to "Rescue Bay", to determine what he must do on seeing how the Pack is.
It is hoped that he will see the Pack which I saw [[underlined]] ended, [[/underlined]] that is, that it has passed down, leaving a clear passage out.  But Capt. B. says he has no doubt from what I saw of the Pack - its extent & character - that it will be impossible to get out this Season - that we have got to make up our minds to stop here this Winter.  He is already planing for the Wintering of his Men.  He says that he will have to divide them out among the Natives - having the natives to supply them mostly with Seal, Walrus &c.  This course is the only alternative as the ship has neither provision or fuel sufficient to last until the vessel is again free from ice & arrives to the States.  Several of the steerage men declare they will die if we are obliged to Winter here again.  They cannot entertain the thought that we are not to get out & start for Home as expected.