Page 19

[verso]
I run on deck and am greeted by another of
our wild contrasts. Three teams of dogs
are baying at their tethering cords and
five Esquimaux yelling "Jima!."

Among the most prominent of the natives
was Kalutinak - a glance assured me of
the success of my dog project, it was evident-
ly a hungting party - two noble teams of
six dogs - harpoons - lances - light equipment
every thing convinced me at a glance - Now
for to fuse the hunt into an exploration of
the N. Channel. I will wait - Indian
fashion until eat [food] and sleep brings [the] talk. [Even with]
[these savages haste is indecorous].

The natives are around me eating
their stew laughing and questioning and
breaking in upon poor Petersen whose services
are usurped by myself. Kalutak has the
place of honour on my own platform - he has
the nature of a gentleman this Kalutak.
He receives and thanks me for my presents.
the first "Kuyanake" "thank ye" that I have yet heard
from Smith Strait Esquimaux - "he will be happy
to join his friend the big headsman ([naklisak?])
in a hunt. He does not believe that three [there?]
are [ominmak?] (musk ox) but he [?]
in the north dessert but he knows that
we may expect bears."

Thus it is at last [is] a prospect of the
leading wish of my heart being gratified.
I see clearly that I can purchase an exten-
sion of their journey and trusting in Provi-
dence, a few hours will see me ready.

A fortnight ago I was on the floes and
twice within this week I've been sledging it
again - more than 300 miles of hard wearing
travel only to bring about this result
Now that I see things open ahead of me
my sick recovering - the coming duties chalked
out and under weigh - I cannot help

[recto]
feeling that something is watching me and modi-
fyiing my path for fixed ends. That I frail
Elish Kane the bedridden of last year should
[now] be the only well and able man of this expedition
is puzzling enough. It may be that I am reser-
ved to take my dear friend Henry Grinnell
by the hand and say your confidence has
not been misplaced - I have not failed you
or myself. It may be "as in strange lands
the traveller walking slow, in doubt and
great perplexity, a little before moonrise
heard the low wail of an unknown sea.";
that I taxed beyond corporeal endurance
give way on the brink of consummating my
hopes crying "I have discovered a new
land but I die!."

Wednes.
Apr. 25.

Kalutanak called himself my [asakaotut?]*
or "friend" and seems greatly pleased by
the distinction which I draw between him
and the other Esquimaux. He sits with
the accordion - of which none ever accord -
braying horrible discord but is always
devout in his respect and intelligent
and interested in his questions. Oh my
expressing a fear as to the effect of raw meat
upon me - to the exclusion of other diet -
he said that he had noticed that frozen
beef agreed with his bowels and helped
to warm him when he changed from summer
to winter food. This man quotes "his
experience "I have found." Con-
stantly. All the others seem to rely im-
plicitly upon his opinions yet poor Kalu-
tak has not become oracular. I like
the man, he has man stuff in him.

A couple of snow birds were seen
by Mr. Bonsall on 23^d inst. - a week
earlier than last year.
* "I like you well"