1881-09-08:1881-09-15

Making it back home.

Thursday, September 8, 1881

Started on our journey again 7 a.m. It is unnecessary to describe my suffering. Although the distance to St. Patrick’s Bay was short we were tramping until 10 p.m. before we reached the valley above the bay. I could hardly move. The Dr. preceded me as we neared the camping place and succeeded in finding water before I arrived. I laid down on the ground and he erected the camp over me. I could not move. He was compelled to leave me and start for camp.

Friday, September 9th, 1881

The Dr. reached the station home at 3 a.m. and on reporting our condition a party made preparations to go to my assistance. Out of a large number of volunteers five were considered a sufficient number. They were preceded by Sgt. Brainard who reached me at 10 a.m. He brought with him a bottle of wine, warm rolls and soon prepared for me a good cup of chocolate. Although I had fasted so long I had no appetite. The wine however was very pleasant as I suffered much from thirst. At 12 p.m. the four men who followed Brainard arrived. They had brought a litter or ladder which served as one. I was placed on it and carried about four miles where the mountain afforded an easier ascent. The ascent was very steep and rough and an ineffectual attempt to carry me up decided Sgt. Brainard in sending for more help. Bender started for camp and five volunteers at once started. Meantime the first party were doing all they could for my comfort. An alcohol lamp was kept burning in the shelter tent which they had again erected over me again. Their own discomfort was considerable. The thermometer was below zero and they were compelled to walk to and fro to keep warm. The tent was too small to afford them shelter. I could not move hand or foot. At 8:30 p.m. the additional party arrived and with much difficulty they succeeded in carrying me up the hill where they placed me on a sledge and hauled me to the station where we arrived at 2 a.m. Sept 10th.

Saturday, September 10, 1881

After being placed in bed this morning I began to improve. I had before leaving rested in sleeping bag in my tent but Gardiner had kindly arranged a cot for me in the quarters. The relief party who brought me in here, very much exhausted. Whistler (sic) had his foot frozen. I have learned that Lt. Lockwood found on arriving at station that his foot was badly frozen the day we met him as we started out Aug 29th.

Sunday, September 11, 1881

Lt. Lockwood and Gardiner accompanied by the Esquimaux Frederich with dog sledge started to explore the Bellot Valley. Sunday service in the morning — Rum issued in the evening.

I learn that during my absence ten, 10, muskoxen were killed at the “Bellows” about 13 miles from station. A sled and wagon abandoned by the English Expdn of ’75 were also found. Also the open water encouraged Lt. Greely to send party under Sgt. Brainard to Cape Beechy with whale boat to establish a depot of provisions to be used by sledge parties traveling north this fall. They encountered great difficulties. The moving ice continually threatened to crush the boat.

Monday September 12, 1881

Sgt. Brainard’s party however, succeeded in reaching Cape Beechy after fifteen tiresome and dangerous hours at the oars. They found it impossible to return with the boat as the ice closed up the passage completely. They returned by land. They started from Station 31st August and returned Sept 3rd. Today Brainard and Cross make a trip to Hogback. They use snowshoes. I am improving rapidly

Tuesday September 13, 1881

The carpenters are busily engaged in finishing the ceiling of quarters. Lt. Lockwood and Gardiner return at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14, 1881

The weather continues fine. The inner walls of quarters completed today.

Thursday September 15, 1881

Dr. Pavy and Whistler with Eskimo Jens and two sledges and teams start out to examine Archers Fiord and English caches supposed to be in that direction. They had only proceeded a short distance on the ice when a pack of nineteen wolves were seen on the ice. Several nimrods attempted to get near enough for a shot but the wolves were too wary and left the ice, following the ravine to the northward. Whistler came back for a rifle and ammunition. The strong force of wolves rather alarmed the Dr.