A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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and protected from the No. and N.E. by a rockly island and the hilly slope of the main land.

There were four huts, two of which were in wind, adding to our many evidences of the diminishing numbers of the Smith Sound race. Only five winters ago as many families occupied these dwelllings, now but two remain. Four deaths took place last spring. Of these two families, for I apply the word not to groups of kindred but tenants of the the hut, Myosu his Father Mother a brother and Sister, compose one while Awahtok & Otuniah each with wives, and among them three young ones occupy the second.

They received them kindly, giving them water to drink, rubbing the feet, drying the shoes &c &c. The women who did this with something of a good wife air of prerogative, seemed to soften down the brutality which persuaded the Bachelor settlement at Anatok. The lamps were cheerful, smokeless, and well tended the huts not nearly so filthy as the Anatok Caves. Each fire represented its family, and in each of the huts two fires I mean of course lamps. Here kept constantly burning. A frame of bone hooks and walrus line was stretched over each lamp for drying the wet clothes of the household. Except a few dog skins which are placed by the walrus under the small of the back the dais was as destitute of sleeping accommodations as the ruined hut of Anatok. A single walrus hide was laid upon the [bare?] stones for Morton and Hans.

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they shake their wide heads, doubting because they cannot comprehend. "The Machine" goes up tomorrow.

Mr. Wilson's scurvy at last begins to give way, the large purpuric blotches which with anasarcous [anasarca] swellings so disfigured his legs are fast disappearing. Brook's has become more [plastic?] takes his quinine regularly and allows me to cut off his granulations. Hans is nearly well. These are blessings to me for we cannot bear a break in our little circle. Morton gives me most unea= =siness - his heel has a process of gangrene, not large but descending into the ligaments about the calcis, and with a decided tendency to Erysipelas.

Wednes. Nov. 8.

Jubilate! Eureka!! The stove and accompanying "Machine" rigged, the outside temperature was mild not below -12°, but the wood has been lessened in consumption 1/3d. We burnt but 75 pounds from 6. a.m. to 11 p.m. and can finish the day with 15 more. This gives us a temperature below higher than any yet enjoyed. +55°. Our last consumption of wood by the old plan was 156 lbs for the same space of time with a cabin temperature quite une[a]qual but not above +47.

Thursday Nov. 9

The tide register with its wheel and axle arrangement formed the leading piece of to day. The inside work of the brig is limited to chopping wood for the absolute darkness [bound]- now close upon us. Broke my large Ether Therm: an unreliable instrument.

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Sunday Nov. 12

The 13th & 14th being the annual periods of the meteoric shower- I make the watch report regularly the condition of the sky and have made arrangements for careful observation throughout the 48 hours- which perhaps we alone, of all looking out for the display, can have of continued darkness.

While at my traps to day, fortunate= =ly not two miles from the brig - I heard what I supposed to be a walrus bellowing from the floe ice. "Hark these Hands!" The words were scarcely uttered before a second roar of unmistakable note. Caused me to jump to the ice foot. Bear! Bear! We had no arms, the day although but 30 minutes older than noon was so dark that we could not see 200 yards into the rough ice. Strange as it may sound both the Esquimaux and myself were afraid to run. We knew very well that the sight of a runner would be the signal of a chase- and judging by experience we felt tolerably safe in the [brag?] game of intimidation- on the other hand to lose this godsend of beef went to our hearts, and a second roar, quite a "Come and eat me sound" determined me to let Hans - a fine runner - start for the brig - while I attempted to play decoy- Off went Hans- "Roar again good Lion", and so he did close aboard- No matter- said I- mentally for I did not feel like raising my voice. No matter he's all right- Hans was already out of sight.

Now I may as well say, what you

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inroads of cirrus upon is pure blue.

Morton suffers much from his foot. The slough of frost bite is as far as my experience goes the most permanent [add?] tissue involving of any sphacelation. When in tissue of low development it becomes very troublesome. In the present case the [Tenda?] Achilles has been completely perforated and the surface of the [calcus] heel bone exposed I fear caries and its attendant troubles. Operations are under our present state of cold privation and darkness fearful things on account of Locked Jaw. I Cheer up my party by counting the days twixt now and sun light cheating them, innocently I hope, into forgetfulness of the two severe months Feb: & March which follow the return of day.

In addition to fidelity, and mutual attachment all my plans of future search are connected with Morton. He is a good and daring sledge man and with him and Hans – God willing – I will renew the search along the shores of Kennedy Channel and Grinnell Land.

Wednes 22. Nov.

Our life below and above! Crawl through the Straits of Bendyerback and enter the dormitorium laboratorium, refectoreum and ordinarium of the remaining members of the Second Grinnel Arctic Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin. I have just done this and am in such a state of thankless dispute that I wait a little to think myself into a proper state of gratitude.

No changes except Dough [Nuts?] Eugh!

$5. Reward!

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Pay to the finder of this Book Five Dollars upon delivery to you.

Thomas L. Kane

Charles F. Heazlitt Esquire Fifth St. below Chestnut

Dec. 23.

With all my care I cannot make our quarters comfortable. Under this accession of numbers our little room is so crowded as to be barely wholesome. I am subject to guard its purity and ventilation with the severity of a surgical ward at Blockly Hospital. The use of the Esquimaux lamp as an accessory to our stove has become absolutely necessary, by its aid I cook our entire "[biled?] beans" and so eke out the drinking water as to preserve inviolable our wood allowance. But the odour of pork fat our only oil we have found to be injurious in a high degree and was therefore obliged to place our lamps outside the [tossut?] in a small room bulkheaded off for their use.

[Among many lamentable instances of the untrustworthy condition of this returned party I had this evening one] They gave rise to a disaster which had nearly proved fatal to us all. A watch had been stationed in charge of the lamp and the usual order of "no uncovered lights allowed" been duly passed to him, he deserted his post. [At 7. P.M.] Soon afterwards Hans ascending to the deck for his observations, found the cooking room on fire, and at once reported the fact.

[I believe that what was done was well conceived and answered It was a horrible crisis for no less than eight of our party were so absolutely nailed to their beds and must have roasted alive for a mere bulkhead separated them from the fire. I gave short but instant orders stationing