A Diary and Journal from the Second Grinnell Expedition

[Header:] 9

This is a welcome [engrafting?] upon our seal meat.

Hans thinks that the open water seen last between Godsend Id. and Esquimaux Point has worked up nearer Bedevil= led Reach. The ice is quite unsafe off Sylvia Head, and seal lie by their Attuk between our brig and the shore.

Made arrangements for the disposition of our coal - reserving twenty kegs for our use should we make open water - and the remainder barely enough to last us for the present month. Separated for use. We have a store of wood but so much for Brooks and his coal. In oil we are again stocked. Our seal yield is an average of five gallons each. I sup= pose we have a barrel (32 gall) already tried out. Ten seal make a barrel as is the case at Uppernavik at this season. In the winter they use from ten to fourteen. The blubber occupies the same volume as is the oil subsequently boiled from it. A fact somewhat puzzling to those who remember the abundant cellular tissue which sustains the fat cells. It is explained by the increased expansion of the oil with change of climate & season.

[Margin:] Wednes June 14

By great exertion Hans was practised during the entire day with the sledge. In spite of the sneering prognostics of that poor devil Godfrey he learnt rapidly the main essential. The whip was already acquired by Hans in the childish games of [Fiskirnas?]. At 1. P.M. he started. Petersen and Hayes pilotted him to the land ice and thus I accomplished a substitute for my rennegade.

314

[*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.]