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1861 Oct. 25 Fri. A 2d Job's Comforter under sinister Arm 2 day's since. Another now maturing on right leg near the calf. If I have anything to fear during this long Winter's Imprisonment, it is from these evidences of the impure state of my blood. I had hoped to be in reach the States that I might get medicinal aid in purifying life's element. At hIV-m30 P.M., The three Innuits sent out this Morning to view the ice outside of "Rescue Bay", returned. Their report removes [[underlined]] the hope [[/underlined]] of all who were still hoping of getting out this season of our present imprisonment. They state that seaward [[underlined]] all ice [[/underlined]] - the Bay all ice but the small opening which is to be seen from the Ship's deck. The lower & entrance part of the Bay filled with Pack. In "Davis Strait" nothing to be seen but Pack - all white - no Black! The effect produced by this upon some of the G.H.'s men, painful. A young man (R.D.) forward, belonging to New London, Ct. burst into tears. He had remained almost sure that the "George Henry" would be enabled to get out & that he would join his friends before Christmas. Smith says: 'Our remaining here from being fast in the ice will be Dr. Kan's right over again only a ---d sight worse!' Others declare that 'Nothing can ever induce them to come into such a God forsaken country again !' One say, 'If it were not for my friends at home who will worry themselves to death thinking that I am dead, I would not care so much! Another now responds to this saying I don't think anybody will worry themselves about me - if they do I cannot help it - 'tis as much as I can do now to think & care for myself. Capt. B. feels a relief, for he has been hanging between hopes, anxieties & fear. Now everything is of so decided a character that he knows the vessel cannot be liberated - that we have got to put up with our fate & make the best of it. I have just asked Capt. B. this question: Have you any idea that you could have got out to sea anytime during the last 2 weeks? He answers negatively as - 'that the Pack has, without doubt, been of too formiable a character to admit of it'. Yet for the sake of his Command he has had hopes - strong hopes. Now he can hope no longer. In fact thought the matter decisive when I reported to him the existence & extent of the Pack which 1st saw from the high land on the 17th Oct (Thurs). As Capt B answers me the above question he is in his birth (retired) but reading "Life of Thos. Simpson", one of my Arctic Works. All the others retired, now hVI PM. The fires are allowed to go out early as fuel is now a [[end page]] [[start page]] 1861 Oct 25 Fri very precious material with us. The decision made to-night that we cannot escape Wintering here, plans are now being executed correspondingly. At hVI-m00 Eve Ther. at Zero. It has been a cold day, now VII-00 & still Ther. at Zero, wind blowing fresh from N.W. Stars bright in a cloudless sky, save a belt extending from S.E. to S.W. near the horizon behind wh. golden Aurora is at play. I have feelings of disappointment, sad disappointment - steal over me, now & then, at our not being able to proceede Homeward in accordance to our plans & expectations. I had so fondly hoped to be among my friends, reporting to them what I had done - & proposing what more I desired to do. But God in his mysterious Workings has designed it otherwise. He hath scattered over the Waters thick ribbed ice that is as a Mountain Wall against our escape. I confidently believe; [[underlined]] It is all for the best. [[/underlined]] The rod seems at times too severe - but when I reflect the ungrateful, sinful, creature I am, my wonder is that I am spared from sill severer chastisements. God, forgive my overwhelming debts to Thee. Help me in my helpless state. The Innuits who went out to-day to reconnoitre the ice brought back with them a fine rabbit wh. Kop-e-o shot, presenting the same to Capt B. Tomorrow a rabbit-pie for the 2 Messes in the steerage. This rabbit snow white - long thick hair tip of ears black - internal of the ears dark fur - weight 7 lbs. Saturday Oct 26th 1861 AM 3° N.W. Fresh Cloudy (N.E. snowing at IX AM) M 10° N E " [[ditto for: Fresh]] Snow storm PM 9° N Light Light snow To-day we expect to get on board the Jaw bones of the Three Whales recently captured. They will make a huge pile of fuel material for our long Winter. Proably next week we shall go down the Bay & get the ship's timber (Beam & mast) wh. will be a great addition to our [[underlined]] warm [[/underlined]] comforts. Now all wish that the "ghost" of Capt B's were near us - to wit, the Rescue's Hulk. That would have kept us in fuel all Winter. Not only was there
