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[*omit*]
of the seceders. He got his pay, signed his
receipt in full, "for services rendered as
astronomer" and went his way. Now he
is back again with his draughts in his pocket
dependant upon me for every thing. He gets
every thing that I can give, except his
deserted post — that he will never get.
The man is very jesuistical and smooth
I trusted him once, and have been well
cured of it.

Obliged to work with Bonsall as also
to aid in the cooking. — The sick are
about the same, Brooks better but Ohlsen
worse. The Ptarmagan was served out
raw among Messrs. Goodfellow, McGeary, Brooks
& Ohlsen – this delicious bird thawed or
frozen is a great delicacy.
[end omit]

Wed.
Feb. [29?]

[Petersen caught another, his sixth fox.
I serve out a part of him in frozen slices.]

To day a hard day. Hans was
off with his gun. Petersen moping. John down worse
[with tooth ache]. Sonntag with scurvy asthma.
[*omit*] Bill in his usual condition of demi worthlessness,
so that Bonsall and self have been
literally at work all day, the outside air
gives -45° 49° and the cold is very penetrating.
Cloth is a poor protection.

The Cabin is now much improved. We
receive a partial light from the skylights and
have an extra stove forward for drying the
berths. My large stove draws well and we
keep very comfortable without burning a pound
of wood - hemp cable and manila hawser
at about 80 lbs a day form our exclusive
fuel. Morton is better. Ohlsen worse.
Goodfellow on the verge of his grave refuses to speak to any one. Poor
boy. I do my best for him. How sad a pity
to bring him to cope with these coarse men in