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fowl to our game list - I am entirely
without a remedy - we cannot pursue the
vil[l]ian - now could we have well prevented
his escape - it is the most outrageous
and culpable desertion I ever knew
or heard of. Bonsall Petersen and
myself are the only men now on board
who can work for the rest. Save the
warnings of a secret trouble - the fox
gnawing under the [?] - I do better
than the best - but I hear my Fox.
Bonsall is evidently more disabled.

Tues. Mar. [25?]

Petersen’s Ptarmagan are now all
gone (5 of them) and of the rabbit but
two rations of eight each remain. We
three Bonsall Petersen and myself
have made up our minds to walk up
Mary River Ravine until we reach the
deer plains and there separate and
close in upon them. To day is therefore
a busy one - for we must prepare before
hand the entire daily requirements of
the sick - the ice for [mulling?] water must be
cut in blocks and laid [upon] near the
stove - the wood - of which it requires one
entire day to tear enough out for two days -
must be chopped and piled in arm reach -
the bread must be cooked and the provisions
arranged; before we can leave our comrades
When we three leave the brig there will
not be a single able man on board -
McGeary alone is able to leave his bed and
[slump?] about a little - but this is all. Need
the dear home folks, who may some day read
read this, wonder that I am a little care
worn and that I leave the brig with reluctance.
Of we three God supported me [all] each has his
[have their a] own heavy load of scurvy.