A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

May Tuesday May 1 The dogs returned last night with a heavy load of meat. They left Lesser Bay on the 29.^th [?] but bring no news of [?].

My dogs are needed imperatively for the important duty of carrying provisions to the [?] Anoatok as a relief to my boats cargo : this duty cannot be postponed long. On the other hand even a limited time, should the central ice be free from [?], may do much. That this central ice should be free is not to be expected but it is within the limits of a sound probability. Therefore I have determined as a last resource to add the borrowed dogs to my own tired team and by the experiment - [?] crucis -- of the middle ice.

this will be hard, very hard, for I must run and walk beside the sledge but as a last [hope?] I undertake it. This thing over - my conscience will be at rest and I'll fret no more. I start tomorrow - weather or no weather.

at 5. P.M. I called together my officers by which I mean the old [?] who abided by the [?] - and [?] to them that the progress of the work would [?] require our sledge for some five or six days, but that after this time I felt that I had no conscientious right to the dogs unless by their special consent. That the life saving duties were superior to those of search - although said search was [?] [?] a paramount desire - It is best [?] to trust to the good feeling of your associates in any case of doubtful [?] whose workings may effect their interests or rights. They [?] one accord expressed

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