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Friday Apr. 13

Our sick which still means "all hands" except
the cook which again means the Captain [entered?]
this morning on their 8th day of fasting for some days past from flesh. One or
two have been softening about the [?] comes, and
all feeling weak with one scanty deck. The evening comes, when
["bein", bein, bein"?]! Sounds upon the deck and Hans
is back [?] with his dogs. Rabbit stew and walrus [?]!
[?]

[this paragraph looks to be crossed out]
For the past four days we have lived on
rice, bread, and meat biscuit, no fatty matter
either of Pork or Beef has crossed our [?]
own lips. Here after a most gaseous day
we are all supping together on a fine rabbit
stew with raw liver by way of oysters.
[/end deletion]

This life of ours, for [so] we have been living much in this way for
the past nine months, makes me more charitable
to our Esquimeaux [brothers] neighbors. The [day?] provides for itself
or if it does not, we trust in the morrow, and are happy
[?]

[rest of paragraph struck through?]

Our cabin, if such this smoke dried hole
can be called, is a scene worth looking at. No
man with his heart in the right place could
do other than enjoy it. Hans has brought
with him [Metek?] and [Miteks?] sisters son
a fine boy fourteen years of age. [?] intends
this visit as a conciliatory compliment
to the Nalegaksoak having last fall before our present sworn alliance [staten?] the
[?] whale of the red boat and being now
in [mortal?] uncertainty as to his political &