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obliged to conserve more fuel than I had
expected. My outdoor labours are now
heavy as I had to set the [remnant?] of Petersen to
cutting off our trebbling. I [am] was determined
to spare no exertion to preserve a
sea worthy vessel. Poor little brig
the effort has cost me many a toil in
act and thought, but all to no end.
She can never bear me to the sea.
Want of Provisions alone, if nothing
else will drive me from her, for this
solid case of nine feet ice can never
break until the late changes of fall;
now then unless some mild winter and
hot summer conjoin with opening winds
to break up its iron casing.

[*omit*]
Mr. Bonsall to day taken in for
two hours of night watch. Heretofore except
with aid from Morton I have taken
this heavy duty on myself. It proves
too much for me, and I call upon Bonsall
as the only healthy & yet trusted
member of the "withdrawers" to take a
share in a duty which bears equally upon
his own safety & comfort. Such duties
are incumbent upon us all and can in
no wise imply in this case a restoration
to his vacated post.
[end omit]

Friday
Mar. 16.

Our meat begins to close. I do
not think that we can make a more than
two days allowance. Hans finds nothing
on the hills and I fear that a long
hunting journey to the South is our only resource.
To 3[symbol]

Awahtok. I have often mentioned
him as a plump good natured fellow. He
was one of my attachés by which I mean
one of the many who stick to me like
a plaster in order to draw or withdraw a