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our one apartment. McGeary holds his own.

The work of stove fitting is completed
and a new era marks its seconds. By
the increased draft, which the prospective
termination of our winter allows me to
afford to our fuel. I find an unhoped
for good fortune. We can burn hemp
cable and cast off running gear. By
the aid of a high chimney and a
good regulating valve. The smoke passes
directly into the open air and tarred
pink is as valuable as oak itself.

Little of the trebbling has been removed
from the brigs sides in fact only a pact of a
single streak, and that on her quarter.
The brig and I say it with satisfaction is
as seaworthy for Atlantic Waters as when
she left the dock. It is hard to feel
that the relentless ice gives us little or no chance
of liberation.

Some idea may be formed of our
hard up condition by this. All our disposable
labour could not on Saturday
cut enough of this just mentioned
trebbling to make for one day the fire
of the next!! The sickness of a single
additional man would have left us without
fuel. Now by the new stove we have
at least ten days of burning material
and an atmosphere which must prove
useful to sick and well.

Thurs.
Feb. 22

No [spirits?] animal or alcoholic where with to share festivity
on Washingtons Birth day.

[*omit*]
Completed skylight. Cut up wood
[?] of booby hatch, rigged a new [?]
and continued stove operations. We now