Viewing page 505 of 661

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

2)
1861 Oct 18 Fri

While Capt. B. was gone those who were about discussed matters pertaining to their spending the Winter here.  Smith said we should all [[underlined]] 'Croak' [[/underlined]] (a word which I find used among the sailors signifying [[underlined]] to die). [[/underlined]]  He could winter here well enough if the ship only had plenty of provision - as it was we might as well die in the pack as here!  Eccentric Morgan says: 'Luck always favors the brave - I'm going to write my life, if we have to spend the winter here, when I (M) get home - if I ever do.' 
when Capt B. 1st entered the Cabin on his return in his attempt to view the Pack, I saw that he was painfully excited.  I anticipated the cause.  Some of his men had made expressions relative to their disposition not to Winter here.  I asked Capt B. on his return if he had a good look at the Pack.  He answered - 'It matters not about the Pack.  If there is Pack, I don't want to know it.  One might as well be in h-l there as here!'  How cruel, thought I, that men should talk so rashly & harshly as to thus add afflictive strokes to the already tortured mind of their Commander.
Capt B. is an able, experienced & careful Navigator of Northern Seas.  He knows as well as [[underlined]] human [[/underlined]] mind [[underlined]] can know [[/underlined]] the best course to pursue to ensure safty to his Command.

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

3
1861 Oct 18th Fri.

Soon as Capt. B. arrived the Boats (7) put out down the Bay for the purpose of Towing up the Whale secured yesterday - to start with it on commencement of flowing tide.
3 Boats were [[underlined]] manned [[/underlined]] by Innuits - 2 of the number being [[underlined]] women. [[/underlined]]
The latter part of the day has been fine or rather from 11 AM to VI P.M. when it clouded up suddenly.  Just at night white clouds hugging high land W. side R. Bay indicating storm within 48 hours.
Though Sun out from 11 AM till it went down ice making rapidly.  Capt. B. feared the Towing Boats would be unable to reach the vessel with the Whale on account of the ice which now covers a good part of the Bay.  At IV P.M. the Cook cried down that he could see the Boats from mast head.  Capt. B. & all of us hastened on deck & with spy took a look.  They had towed the Whale out into middle of Bay to avoid the ice that had made in & off shore - & also to get greatest assistance possible from flowing tide.  At VI-00 the singing voices of the Innuit crews were heard.  They were singing their native