1881-12-10:1881-12-18

Jens tries to run away, and George fractures his shoulder.

Saturday Dec 10th 1881

Lt. snow during the afternoon. Lt Greely issued an order for all hands to return at 11 p.m. as he considers it demoralizing to sleep at all times as we do now, as there is no difference in the appearance of night and day.

Sunday Dec 11th 1881

Our usual Sabbath, differing very little from the other days of the week. Lt. Greely read the passage which is usually read at the opening of Congress this being the day on which the event occurs. In the evening several of the cavalrymen gave a very amusing imitation of the Indian war dance as they have seen it on the Frontier. The falling of a remarkably bright was observed at 6:30 p.m. accompanied by a very loud report. Auroral displays were seen at intervals during the day; at some times in the form of streamers and at others in a curtain formation. They were of remarkable brilliance. At 2:30. we observed the brightest arch that has been seen since our arrival.

Monday Dec 12th 1881

Cloudy weather. Light fall of snow. Party working on an ice wall to break the cold draught at the corner of our quarters. I hauled a few loads of ice as usual.

Tuesday Dec 13th 1881

Today Jens the Esquimaux concluded he would vary the monotony of our life by absconding. His elopement was discovered at breakfast time. He had been seen in the early morning however and we naturally concluded that he had not traveled far. After breakfast Lt. Greely instructed Brainard and I to start from a point outside the Station and by walking in opposite directions discovered (Jens) tracks leading from the Station.

It was about 8:30 a.m. when we started. Henry volunteered to go with me and Whistler went with Brainard. It was very dark, the sky overcast and no moon in the heavens. Fortunately for Jens light snow had fallen the day previous so that his tracks could be easily found and distinguished from others. I soon found his tracks following the beaten track towards Dutch Island. We communicated with Brainard and Whistler who soon found us and we proceeded at a rapid rate expecting to overtake the fugitive in a short time as the track looked fresh and we knew that he had been very long on the road. After proceeding a short distance we thought it best to send back word to the Station to follow us with a dog team in case Jens should lead us a long chase. Henry and Frederick the other Esquimaux returned.

Brainard Whistler and I followed the trail expecting to catch up to Jens at any moment for we could see unaided by any lights he had not been able to follow the path directly but wavered on and off. With our lanterns we moved on very rapidly until Dutch Island distant two miles was reached. Beyond that point the path is not well defined as it has not been traveled since the last party came in from Cape Beechy. We saw that our game had turned off at right angles towards the ice foot so as to follow the coastline and avoid being lost in the ice. His track now became difficult to follow much time being lost in keeping (?) of them. When about five miles from the home we were joined by Dr. Pavy with Frederick and dog team. We kept on at the most rapid rate practicable, two of us going in advance with the lantern, the others following the track as we found it. The ice foot was very rough and the darkness was so intense that it was impossible to select the most favorable route for the sledge even if the erratic course taken by Jens allowed for it. When near Distant Cape the progress was very slow and at one place I dropped behind to allow the Dr. a better position behind the sledge. We had been walking behind it intending to join him as soon as the point was passed. I had just left the advance and being able to hold on to the standards of the sledge and depend upon it for guidance. I blew out the candle in my lantern to economize our light. As soon as I dropped behind, the sledge disappeared in the dark and in groping my way after it I met with several severe falls. I did not go far before I slipped and was thrown violently against a projecting piece of ice. It was several minutes before I could move from my prone position on the ice, when I discovered that my shoulder was undoubtedly broken. I regained my footing and appreciating the importance of catching up with the sledge, I lit my candle under great difficulty presented by the wind and the use of one hand only. I started at the best gait I could suffering intensely and encountered several more falls in one of which my light went out and delayed me. I expected the sledge to wait for me at the moment they discovered my absence. It appeared they were so interested in the chase that my absence was not noticed or they thought I was following at my leisure. I plotted along my candle burnt out. I overtook the party at a point a little south of Cape Murchison distant about ten miles to reach while our (treacherous) way traveled much farther. They had just concluded to wait for me. On learning (of) my condition Whistler started to return with me.

Brainard and the Dr. continuing in the way intending to go as far as Cape Beechy and spending the night at the snowhouse if they did not find Jens. Whistler and I made but slow progress on the return as 1 was compelled to avoid jarring my shoulder. When near Distant Cape Whistler began to complain of the cold, a few moments after he began to talk incoherently and before a mere halfway to Dutch Island he was delirious. My position was becoming rather unpleasant. Whistler overcome by the cold, was entirely unresponsive and it took all my will and ingenuity to induce him to walk. He was continually falling down and could hardly resist the temptation to remain on the ice. I attempted to lead him and having no light our footing was so uncertain that I was continually jarred by missteps which caused me to suffer intensely from my shoulder. I had to cajole, coax and command Whistler at every step to get him along. I began to fear for his life: had he refused to move he might have died in a very few moments.

We got as far as Dutch Island when Dr. Pavy, Brainard and the Esquimaux overtook us with the dog sledge. I at once gave the Dr. the state of affairs and told him it was necessary to get Whistler to the Station as soon as possible. It was necessary to make him run behind the sledge and we learned on reaching the Station that when near the Station they had to place him on the sledge as he had lost all use of his limbs.

Brainard and I reached the Station at 4 p.m.

We had been out about 8 hours, traveled at least twenty miles with the temperature at -30 on one of the darkest days of the winter. Whistler was delirious for several hours, his nose and cheeks frozen but otherwise he suffered no bad consequences. Dr. examined my shoulder and found fracture not complete but the bone evidently cracked and ligature injured. Jens was overtaken a short distance beyond the point from which we started to return. He came back quite penitently but did not attempt to explain the cause of his strange conduct. Light snow was falling almost all day.

Wednesday Dec 14th 1881

A few days ago Lt. Greely requested me to try and arrange some sort of entertainment as a diversion for the party the time hanging heavily on our hands at present. I found it impossible to carry out any such plan successfully as our party is so small that after making a cast of performers there would be but a small audience remaining. Then it would be impossible to rehearse or arrange anything except in the presence of the others so by the time of the performance the programme would be stale and uninteresting. I therefore gave up the idea but suggested to the men that we should invite Lt. Greely to lecture before us. They were pleased with the suggestions and I made our wishes known to Lt. Greely. He kindly assisted and tonight favored us with some interesting remarks on the Polar question: a subject absorbing to us at present. An Aurora observed at 8p.m.

Thursday Dec 15th 1881

The party are exercising by banking up magnetic observatory. My shoulder is very painful; sleep is almost an impossibility. Frederick the other Esquimaux has exhibited the desire to follow the example of Jens. In a melodramatic manner he flourished a huge wooden cross in one hand and with the other on his heart bade us all “good bye” intimating that he was tired of life and about to immolate himself on the Shrine of the Polar Question. We dissuaded him however. Temperature Max -27.4° F Min -46.2° F

( Copy of Christmas dinner menu)

Friday Dec 16th 1881

Deep sea temperature observed at norm today. Surface 28.9, at depth 33 ft. -28.7 Thermometer observed and (?) -38.4 — -46.5

Saturday Dec 17th 1881

The party are exercising by banking up the magnetic observatory. An Aural streamer observed. Range of the observed and corrected from -38.2 to 46.2

Sunday Dec 18th 1881

Israel commenced taking magnetic observations the usual monthly lasting three days , today. Usual Bible reading in the morning. Ther. Obs. And Cor. Ranged from -40.2 to 46.7