A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

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Pages That Mention Esquimaux

Elisha Kent Kane Private Journal

Page 3
Needs Review

Page 3

Journey in Search of Hans.

Tuesday Apr. 10.

I left the brig at 10 1/2 a.m. with but five dogs and a load so light as to be hardly felt. It required some suggestive incident to show us how we have gradually become assimilated in our habits to the necessities of our peculiar life - such an incident I find in my equipment - Compare it with similar sledge outfits of last winter and you will see that we are more than half Esquimaux.

1. One small sledge 5.6 x 2. 2. an extra jumper and sack pants for sleeping 3. a ball of raw walrus meat

1. The sledge is portable - and adapted to jump over the chasms of the land ice - and to overturn with impunity - save to the luckless driver. It has two standards - or as we call them "upstanders" which spring like elbows from its hinder extremity.

[sketch of man driving sled and dogs]

These serve as handles, by which, running or walking behind, you guide the sledge, lift it over rugged places - or rest yourself - and dogs while in mutual progress together.

2. The extra jumper is a bear skin jacket or rather shirt which after being put on is overlapped at the waist by a large pair of footed trousers.

[sketch drawing of a man in bear skin jacket]

No winter traveller should be without these - at temperatures below -25o or -30o they are invaluable. Added to a sleeping bag I would strongly urge them upon Expedition sledge parties. Blanket bags are nearly useless below -30o in a gale of wind, it riddles through them.

3. The ball of raw meat is made by chopping into inch pieces walrus or other meat, and running among it hot tallow by which the pieces are prevented from freezing too hard and you can readily cut out your meal as required - a little butter if you have it, - will contribute to soften it: [prevents its freezing too hard] - olive oil perhaps would be

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