than they assembled all the young savages in the house, and ordered the articles in question to be restored. The thief immediately stepped forward, without the least marks of fear or shame. "There," said he, "are your things you perhaps need them yourself."

In their frequent journies backward and forward, between the station of the ships and the Esquimaux encampment, our Missionaries had to endure much hardship,-frequently spending several sleepless nights together, without a morsel of food, and exposed, under the open air, to the inclemency of this cold and stormy climate. One dreadful night is thus described in their journal:

66

September 12. In the evening, a violent storm, with rain, arose. A shallop was

driven to the shore, and ran aground on the rocks. By the offer of an ample reward, we persuaded the savages to lend us their assistance in bringing it off. Eight of them put on their sea-dress, waded into the water up to their breasts, and toiled at it upwards of an hour, without being able to set it afloat, Our ship, meanwhile, wore away from the

shore, and left us alone with the natives. John Hill and the ship's surgeon engaged to follow the vessel in a small boat, and make some arrangements with the captain for their safety; but their boat was dashed against the ship's side by the waves, with so violent a concussion, that it overset. Fortunately they caught hold of a rope that hung over the side of the vessel, to which they clung, until those on board drew them up.

Drachart and Ha

ven now betook themselves to the stranded shallop, but they were destitute of provisions, and the rain fell in torrents. The Esquimaux came, and represented to us that the boat could not possibly float before the tide returned in the morning, and invited us to lodge for the night in their tents. We judged this to be the most eligible plan we could adopt, in our present situation. Immediately the Angekok Segullia plunged into the water, and carried us on his back to the beach. He then led us to his tent, gave us dry clothes, and spread a skin on the floor, for us to sit on. The tent was crowded with people. They several times asked us, if we were not afraid.

We answered, 'We are certainly ignorant of what passes in your minds; but you are our friends, and friends do not use to fear each other.' To this they rejoined, We are good Karaler, and are now convinced that you are not Kablunät, but well-disposed Innuit,* for you come to us without weapons.' They set before us fish, water, and bread, which last had been given them by the sailors; and, shortly after, all retired to rest.

"But Segullia now commenced his incantations, which he began by singing some unintelligible stanzas, together with his wives. He then muttered over some charm,-threw himself into every imaginable contortion of body, at times sending forth a dreadful shriek, -held his hand over Drachart's face, who lay next to him, and rolled about on the ground, uttering at intervals loud, but only half-articulate cries, of which we could merely catch the words, Now is my Torngakt come.' Perceiving that Drachart was awake, and had

* Man, an appellation which the Esquimaux usually bestow upon their own countrymen, as if they alone had any claim to humanity.

A Familiar Spirit.

ESQUIMAUX HOSPITALITY.

49

raised himself a little on his arm, as often as he extended his hand over his face, he kissed it. He now lay for some time as still as death, after which he again began to whine and moan, and at last to sing. We said we would sing something better, and repeated many Greenlandic verses, of which, however, they could comprehend very little. It was in vain that we endeavoured to compose ourselves to sleep for the rest of the night; we therefore frequently arose, and went out of the tent; but Segullia appeared to view our motions with suspicion, and always followed us out. In the morning, he thus addressed us: 'You may now tell your countrymen that you have lodged with me in safety. You are the first Europeans that ever spent a night under my tent. You have shewn me, by your fearless behaviour amongst us, that we have nothing to dread from you!' In return for our accommodation, we distributed glass beads, fish-books, and needles, amongst his people."

But, notwithstanding the favourable dispositions manifested by the Esquimaux towards the Brethren, and the promising appearance

of the speedy establishment of a Mission among these wild people, six years from the period of the visit of Haven and Drachart elapsed, before the establishment of a Missio. nary station in Labrador. Shortly after the departure of these brethren, the old quarrels between the natives and the English traders were renewed; and, as no one was present who could act as interpreter, and explain the mutual grounds of difference, the affair terminated in bloodshed: thus the breach formerly existing between the Esquimaux and foreigners was widened, while Satan rejoiced in seeing the country so embroiled, that the messengers of peace, commissioned by the King of kings "to preach deliverance to the captives," were cut off from all access to the poor Esquimaux, over whom the god of this world had long retained an undisturbed dominion.

A Missionary settlement was not finally established in Labrador until 1771. Before we proceed with the history from that period, some interesting occurrences, which took place in the interval, must be noticed. This we shall do in the following chapter.