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1861 Oct 21 Mon

The story of "Johnny Bull" coming to Capt. B. to buy a shirt handing him Capt B. 2 American (copper) cents.  The lowest priced shirts being one Dollar.  Ugarny took a fancy to a violin of one of the steerage hands.  Just before he (U) left for Ookoodlear (17th) he called to Bailey who owned the desired instrument from the foot of the companion Way to [[underlined]] Ki-eete. [[/underlined]]  Bailey hastened to respond by coming off deck down into Main Cabin.  As he (B.) came down Ugarny whispered 'Viddle Viddle - wonga piletay money?' slipping into Bailey's hand what he (U.) thought to be a generous sum, to wit "one cent" (the latest coinage) the small patern.  Of course the 'Vid-dle' worth an "X" was retained by its owner - the supposed equivalent "one cent" being honestly returned to the generous Innuit.
It is of course well known that Innuits in their native state have nothing like money in use among them.
In Greenland they (the Innuits) have Danish money, introduced by the Danish Government wh. they use to a limited extent.
There is still hope that we shall be released from our dreaded condition.  The men forward - all of Capt. B's officers in the steerage are still discussing the horror of [[strikethrough]] being obliged to [[/strikethrough]] wintering here on a/c of being short of provisions.  How & when we shall be able to get out, God only knows.  All are hoping for a storm to clear the Bay of ice.  The Bay ice once out - Will Capt. B then go?  If he does it will be to pacify men who think nothing of the dangers that are to be encountered in driving into the pack at this season of the year.
Capt. B. in discussing the matter with one of his officers (L.) a moment ago said that if this Bay becomes free enough to get out this Season it would be the worst thing that could possibly happen.  Taking the pack which he (Capt B.) knew must be outside would at this time of the year evidently be the end of all.  L. thought that if the ship should be taken into the pack & could not proceede on a/c of it, could then make escape in Boats.  Capt. B. said he could drive through Pack whenever a Boat can be used, & could do it too in many cases when a Boat would be [[?stone]] to atoms.  Yet he though it one of the most injudicious acts a navigator could undertake to put his ship into Pack such as he had reason to think was now going down Davis Strait at the present time.  If Capt. B. acting in accordance to his own best judgement, decides it best to go, providing a storm frees the Bay of ice, then I go with him;  but if Capt. B. decides to go because there will be a human h-l around him if he does not - if he 

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1861 Oct 21 Mon

decides to go saying it is contrary to his judgement, contrary to his opinion as to the best course to pursue, then I hesitate.
Such confidence have I in Capt B.'s quality as one able, daring yet safe navitator that I hesitate not to accompany him wherever & [[underlined]] whenever [[/underlined]] his judgement directs.  But if he swerves from this (wh.) I do think he will never do) then - - - - -
I say, for One, - One who values life as dear as anyone can - let Capt. B. decide according to [[underlined]] his [[/underlined]] judgement & experience in our present momentous condition, & [[underlined]] that decision is my law & precept. [[/underlined]]
To-night cloudy Ther. at hVIII-m00 17° [[underlined]] Calm. [[/underlined]]  Have spent an interesting evening in the Aft Cabin conversing with Capt. B. - his memory remarkable of events & incidents.
The story of Tate & whaling crew of New London (Boats Crew) landing on coast of China - seized & taken back into the Country 1000 miles Kept for 2 months & [[underlined]] exhibited [[/underlined]] - then returned & sent adrift.  They (T & crew) find their vessel & get back in safty.
The interviews of Capt. B's unkle with Capt. Penny - Capt P's way of addressing a letter to Capt. B.  "Hogarth's Sound of Capt Penny, or Cumberland Strait of Davis, if you like that better."
The ship (American ship) that found a Chinese Yunk wrecked out & Sea with Chinese crew aboard - the souls taken aboard & returned to their Country.  Not a man of the ship allowed to step ashore best meat on [[?spar]] supplied also rice, water & everything else wanting & then taken in two out to sea & told never to put in there again!  Chinese generosity!  The Eng. steamer putting in to a deep Bay on China Coast - the multitude of Coasters (Chinese Junks) sunk by firing broadsides - the Commander coolly loading & firing rifle from wheel house killing all he could - even those crying for mercy.  "A sea of blood" from the effects of this Eng. steamer's Broadsides killing the the inoffending beings - but few escaped ashore.  An eye witness who told Capt. B described as wholesale murder - said Witness an Englishman!
Capt. B's view of Cities in Japan - of immense size [[?Juddo]] on hill side - the junks fast sailers.  The putting in for water