A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

307

1/3 of a barrel. Of coffee we are reduced to one mess per diem.

With the coming moon I expect heavy cold, not only as a compensation for the past warmth but as paving the way for the almost necessary warmth [which?] must attend the circum=polar sun of April.

Sunday Feb 19

On the 19th A bad day the cold seemed to [have] fairly set in breaking up our strange spell of warmth the therm rapidly falling gives [D?] -36°

William returned unsuccessful. He crossed the hummocks but was afraid of the solitude "it was so quiet" was his poetic excuse [miserable cowards]!

Hans had a fair shot at the Reindeer but – sad luck – the cap failed. [No fresh meat — cases same.]

Monday Feb. 19

[*omit*] In spite of wind started the work – cut a double sky light over galley. All of our operatives cutting glass in their bunks. Bill Morton and Bonsall cleansing paint & wood work, scraping floor &— Wilson worse. Hans brings in a rabbit.

Tuesday Feb. 20.

Mr. Goodfellow reported or rather found on examination - scurvy. I today changed his bunk, giving the steward my own and placing him in Morton's. Completed clearing below and arranged our new stove. [end omit]

Mr. Ohlsen shows unpleasant head symptoms. He is quite insane. No hunting to day and of course no meat.

Wednes. Feb. 21

To day the crests of the N.E. headland were gilded by true sunshine, and all who were able assembled on deck to greet it.

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[*omit*] a singularly harmonious and considering its fearful reduction of members, efficient ship. It wears into me, however, Yes Elish Kane dream away all dreams of youth. Think no longer of a married home. Bless God if you carry your gray beard and wrinkled to the dear old one, and there earn back old loves.

It is sharp how that Grinnell family have intermingled themselves with my home affections, the moment I step beyond the sacred portals of home, they come in, as claimants to my love and regard. Mrs. Grinnel reminds me of Mother and shares with me the place which from earliest infancy belonged to Aunt Eliza. Mr. Grinnell, by George I can't speak of him - Cornelius is most unaccountably my confidential friend, I too so reserved and cautious of such an anomolous relation. There is not a member of the household from little Sylvia to Mrs. Watts who is not thought of by me in this bleak horrible desert, as mingling with the distant and barely possible pleasures which may wellcome me, a worn out saddened man, to a world of social life. [end omit]

Sunday Feb. 25.

[*omit*] John continues sick, and William Godfrey is a mere baby at work, so that both Bonsall and myself have] [end omit] All up now with John who tried till yesterday to do our cooking to toil like [?]. Gallant Morton who made our bread and although bed ridden by day, was always able to lend a helping hand at night is now permanently down. [I trust that Brooks, Ohlsen are both better.]

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[*omit*] of the seceders. He got his pay, signed his receipt in full, "for services rendered as astronomer" and went his way. Now he is back again with his draughts in his pocket dependant upon me for every thing. He gets every thing that I can give, except his deserted post — that he will never get. The man is very jesuistical and smooth I trusted him once, and have been well cured of it.

Obliged to work with Bonsall as also to aid in the cooking. — The sick are about the same, Brooks better but Ohlsen worse. The Ptarmagan was served out raw among Messrs. Goodfellow, McGeary, Brooks & Ohlsen – this delicious bird thawed or frozen is a great delicacy. [end omit]

Wed. Feb. [29?]

[Petersen caught another, his sixth fox. I serve out a part of him in frozen slices.]

To day a hard day. Hans was off with his gun. Petersen moping. John down worse [with tooth ache]. Sonntag with scurvy asthma. [*omit*] Bill in his usual condition of demi worthlessness, so that Bonsall and self have been literally at work all day, the outside air gives -45° 49° and the cold is very penetrating. Cloth is a poor protection.

The Cabin is now much improved. We receive a partial light from the skylights and have an extra stove forward for drying the berths. My large stove draws well and we keep very comfortable without burning a pound of wood - hemp cable and manila hawser at about 80 lbs a day form our exclusive fuel. Morton is better. Ohlsen worse. Goodfellow on the verge of his grave refuses to speak to any one. Poor boy. I do my best for him. How sad a pity to bring him to cope with these coarse men in

320

320 Feb. 28

"February ends. Thank God for the lapse of its twenty eight days! By the tenth of April I expect to find seal and when they come we are saved! [Cannot call ourselves safe]

A fair review of our prospects tells me that I must look the Lion in the face. The scurvy is steadily gaining on us in vain I sustain my desperate cases just as I partially build up one - another is stricken down. The disease is perhaps less malignant [apparent] in a few cases than it was but it is more diffused throughout our party. Except William Morton, who is disabled by a [frostbite] frozen heel not one of our eighteen are exempt. Of the six quoted one month ago as the remaining workers of our party two are unable to do outdoor work and the remaining four divide between them the duties of taking care of the sick and providing material by the hunt. Of these four Providentially guarded men, one is the Esquimaux Hans, another our Greenland Dane Petersen, a third Bonsall the fourth myself.

Hans now hunts aided by Petersen with what energy he has left. These two last named chop five large sacks of ice, cut into junks of one foot each six fathoms of eight inch hawser, serve out provisions, hacking at molasses and hewing with crowbar and axe at pork and dried apples, pass up the [confined] foul slop & cleansings of our dormitory, and for the past two days cook [scullionize?] and attend the sick. Added to this I myself was strong enouth to keep an eight hours vigil from 8 {.M. to 4. in the morning - [taking] noting thermometers ever hour.

Now with this state of things before us, we must look forward to 41 days of nearly the same character as the past thirty and in being guided by the

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Friday Mar. 9

[*omit*] Jhon and William Godfrey were both unable to come up to the rack this morning. I had sat up until two a.m. and had been releived by Morton expecting him to keep watch until 4. a.m. when William and John would follow, but poor Morton wishing to spare me, continued on in place of the invalids. Of course I sent him to bed as soon as practical but [end omit] [*strength going*] It was with a feeling almost of dismay that I found how difficult it was to get things to day. Bonsall and myself the sole workers after cleansing below, bedpanning and dressing the sick, cutting ice, and cooking [our necessary meals] and serving messes could hardly go further. The moral effects of an unbroken routine I fully realise. Once a systematic order departed from the results would be [discomfort] despondency, and increase of disease for all. It was therefore with feelings not easily understood out of the source that I found myself and comrade were barely able to cut the necessary fuel. The end of the day finds us both stiff and ill at ease - & having to keep the night watch until 6. a.m. [and] I have plenty of time to resolve my most uncomfortable thoughts.

Be it understood that in expressing these in my journal I express them no where else. What secret thoughts my companions may have are concealed from me and from each other, but none of them can see as I do, a future whose realisation presents so clearly. Two results one bright and comforting the other inconceivably black and hopeless.

Should Hans come back with a good supply of walrus and himself unsmitten by the enemy (scurvy - our sick would rise under the ginial