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(Private journal)
1861 Dec. 7th Sat.
This morning before I was up, Twer-oong came aboard. As soon as she entered the gang-way I knew it to be her from her consumption cough. When my breakfast was brought into the little Aft Cabin I asked her to participate with me with wh. invitation she complied. The meal consisted of Coffee - 1 Sea Cake & fried Took-too. This is beloved friend who was so kind to me when I was sick away up "Frobisher Bay", during my Expedition of discovery. She was very grateful for my having her share with her this repast. She sat one side of my writing table by the door to Main Cabin while I was on the other seated on the locker. I asked her various questions relative to the head of Frobisher Bay. Asked her if she had spent winters at Ag-goun, Ses-se-uk-tune & other places? She said Yes - & that there were plenty seals there - the Seko pe-e-uke - (ice good). In answer to other questions of mine She said that where I came near loosing my life - near Ag-goun & all around there, the ice did not make on account of the swift tides. This I expected. She said that in these places of open water (in wh. remark she was joined by her winga ("Mr Miner")) that capital sealing prevailed (though dangerous getting them) by shooting with Kok-e-ute (gun).
I am pushing my enquiries thus, for the object of acquiring what I may rely up in making another trip up that Bay this winter. I wish to penetrate to the extreme of each Inlet making up from Frobisher Bay on the N.E. side.
I went over to the Igloos this A.M. I purposed to have Ebierbing & An-na-wa accompany me on a trip with dogs & Kum-me-tie to Oo-pung-ne-wing to see if I could not find & get that Anvil of Frobisher! I intended starting to-morrow but soon found out that it was Sunday on wh. I at once decided to put it off till Monday.
Capt. B. applied a medicated plaster to my afflicted shoulder this Morn. I am nearly down sick with this abscess.
The Barber of the "George Henry" on my solicitation clipped my flowing locks to-day. Monday my luxuriant beard & moustach must be taken off. These head & face shearings are necessary if one would be comfortable in venturing out making journies in the Winter of these regions. Dinner fried seal brought from Ook-ood-lear by R.
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(Private journal of CF Hall)
+ [[Sunday]] Dec. 8th 1861
29.225 AM -10° NW Light Cloudy
29.1 M -5° NW Fresh Thick clouds - snow -
29.025 P.M. -2° W. Light " " " [[dittos for Thick clouds - snow]]
This day has been one of Snow - a "Snow day". The day has been spent by me in reading lines of "Joshua & the Judges" while all the others Aft save Capt B. have been ashore visiting the natives, getting work done by the natives &c.
This AM the hands Aft took a sledge & went out to on ice-berg in the Bay & got a load of ice of wh. to make water for our use. The water gotten aboard for the purpose of use on our way to the States has lasted until now, the present being about the time calculated upon for our arrival at New London, Ct.
The Chequer Board has been used some to-day not by the Aft Hands but by Koo-jes-se & one of brothers in law. They played about 3/4 of an hour in the midst of all present. When Koo-jes-se & said companion in the play left the cabin, Capt. B. told Keeney to lay that Board (Chequer Board) away & not have it out again till to-morrow. Sometime during the P.M. Koo-jes-se entered the Aft Cabin again & looked around for the Board. Capt B told him it was in one the Sailor's Igloo meaning in one of the Bunks. I would like to have heard the remark:- 'It is Sabbath day. It is not good play to-day.
A deeply interesting incident took place this evening - one that is worth recording. Capt. B. was in the Main Cabin & several of the Aft hands standing & sitting around the table. Sheo-ek-koo, Koo-jes-se & other
