A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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April

Sunday Apr. 1

[Today] all tools day, but [we made no sport of it] it brings no merriment. The work falls heavily on us, and Petersen brought in no game. We fasted on our regular beans.

The eruption gives me excessive pain, sleepless nights and uncomfortable days. Sonntag Wilson & Brooks share the pest with me I am at a loss to what to attribute it. Several of us suffer in the seats of old injuries, both my broken hand and wounded groin bladder seem as if [re]broken & [re]wounded over again. These ghosts of old adventures bring back equally ghostly memories. I can easily shut my eyes and see the sala of the Casa [Gaona?] at Puebla:- Guadalupe smoking her cigarritta by my bedside, and the dear old general looming up as high as the bedposts, all by the dim flickering of the little waxen taper, which burns under the little cross, in the little alcove, where the Senora Madam Gaona says her prayers. "Con que a dios Señor Doctór." Dong-dong-dong" "dong, dong". Santo Domingo has started his infernal bells, no sleep to night, "Clang, clang, clang".

Monday Apr. 2d

The morning at 11. a.m. Mr. Bonsall reported a man upon the ice-foot about a mile from the brig. We supposed him to be Hans, and advanced to meet him. WHen nearer we discovered our absent sledge and team, but the man who accompanied them turned and ran towards the South.

Upon this I made Mr. Bonsall who was armed with the Sharp Rifle remain behind and avanced alone, upon which the man awaited my approach. As I neared him I recognized the deserter William Godfrey.

On conferring with this man he

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he stated that he had been to the South of Leiper Bay, I understood him to say as far as Northumberland Id. where there was a cache of meat - That Hans was sick with the Exposure and lying knocked up at Eepah, that he Godfrey, intended to [return] go back and live with Kalutaneh. -[That there was a cache of meat on Northumberland Id. &c.]

I then ordered him to return to the ship, which he refused to do saying that no force should compel him and at the same time turning to retreat. Upon seeing this I produced a pistol from my pocket and compelled him to stop until Mr. Bonsall arrived, which was not long.

William having again with many words again refused, in the joint presence of Mr. B. and myself to return to the brig. I anounced my intention of shooting him if he did not move before the word "three". At the word "two" he started, and was escorted to the brig by Mr. Bonsall and myself. When alongside he declared his intention go back [return] and that no force should compel him to go on board. Whereupon I placed him under charge of Mr. B. with orders to shoot him if he attempted to escape, and then proceeded to the after hatch on deck and called to Mr. McGeary for foot cuffs, as well as assistance.

It is proper to remark here that both Mr. B and myself were barely able to walk and entirely incapable of contronling Godfrey by [mamal?] force, that Mr. Petersen the only remaining [well] man as well [as] in health as ourselves was absent hunting and that every other soul on board was down with scurvy.

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On reaching the Hatch Mr. Bonsall called on me that he was off. Whereupon I seized the Sharp Rifle which I had taken from Mr. B -: the lock of this rifle being affected by the cold it went off in my hands while trying to cock it. By this time William had made about 40 paces and was running at full speed. I then seized a second Rifle lying loaded on a chest and fired at him [William] at long but practicable distance and missed him. The man effected his escape.

Mr. Bonsall afterwards informed me that as soon as I entered the gangway he said you will not shoot me or words to that effect. Slightly edging away, on Mr. Bonsall ordering him to stand he started and Mr. Bonsall pulled the trigger but the Cap failed to explode the pistol, whereupon he called to me as before narrated.

I have stated the above formally and in detail as embracing my recollection of this occurrence, with a view to its being used as testimony. With this object I have made affirmation to the herein detailed facts in presence of Mr. Brooks the first officer of the Expedition.

E. K. Kane Arctic [Exp??]

Monday Apr. 2n 1885 Brig Advance

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frustration had cost me so much cautious labour. I felt convinced that Godfrey's return was for the purpose of concocting with John another attempt and that the meat was obtained upon some false pretence from poor Hans and to be used as a means of conciliation to affect his reception in board. His refusal to enter the brig, although at first view contradictory, was evidently for the purpose of making terms. We were alone man to man upon the icefoot and he was unaware of my being armed. When therefore he failed in this attempt but was compelled by force to return he seized the first opportunity which offered to escape.

Be all this as it may, whatever were Godfreys intentions in our present enfeebled state his labour was essential to us. Therefore I compelled him to return. The loss of our sledge and dogs nor or hereafter would have had a critical influence upon the lives of my party. An example of decision and severity was called for by the presence on board of his colleague John. It was also called for by the nature of our party, some better than others and a journey of fearful hardship ahead which would require for the preservation of the sick the sternest fidelity on the part of the well. All of these inducements made me determine to punish by immediate death any overt act of mutiny or desertion. For these reasons I fired at him which retreating, compelled his return to the brig under the alternative of death and ordered Mr. Bonsall to the effect stated in my preceeding account.

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tin, the absolute pinnacle is a debased dredging box, which makes a bad goblet, being unpleasantly sharp at its rim. At one end of this table partly hid by the beer barrel, stands Petersen, at the side Bonsall, and a lime juice cask opposite marks my seat. We are all standing, a momentary hush is made among the sick, and I pronounce our daily prayer. "Accept our gratitude and restore us to our homes." After this lengthened act of devotion we sit down and look, not at our breakfast but at each other.

It could may sound assured to those who cannot understand the harrowing interest which we three available feel in our continued [health] ability to keep up, for me to say that we spend at least five minutes in a mutual detail of symptoms. The state of gums shins and ankles, elbows loins and kidneys is minutely canvassed and compared with yesterday's. [Each makes the others the recipients of his [ills] and as I am an official sluice gate for the discharge of such pent up material they open upon me the] the Pandora box of scurvy's protean abominations. There is something sad, not ludicrous in this.

Now for the bill of fare. "Who cooked"? "Why Morton felt better and got up at six," is the answer. "Ah! Then we'll have a good breakfast." First coffee, great comforts to hard worked men. [Our coffee consists of] one part of the genuine berry to three of genuine navy bears. [Oftime?] (beany), here! No matter we take kindly to this adulterated comfort.] Next, sugar-: what complex memories the word brings back! Sugar the veritable sugar has