destroying the Esquimaux. Instantly the missionary went to them
boldly, showed them the Governor's proclamation, and strongly
remonstrated with them; yet it was not without difficulty that he
persuaded them to lay aside their diabolical design. To this harbour
the natives frequently resorted to trade, or rather more frequently to
steal; and here his first interview took place with the Esquimaux,
which he records in his diary in the following manner: "September 4
1764 was the joyful day I had so long wished for, when one Esquimaux
came into the harbour to see if Captain Galliot was there. While I was
preparing to go to him, he had turned, and was departing to return to
his countrymen, who lay in the mouth of the harbour, with the
intelligence that the Captain had sailed. I called out to him in
Greenlandish that he should come to me, that I had words to say to
him, and that I was his good friend. He was astonished at my speech,
and answered in broken French; but I begged him to speak in his own
language, which I understood, and to bring his countrymen, as I wished
to speak to them also, on which he went to them and cried with a loud
voice, 'Our friend is come!'

"I had hardly put on my Greenland clothes when five of them arrived in
their own boats--I went to meet them, and said, 'I have long desired
to see you.' They replied, 'Here is an _innuit_.' I answered, 'I am
your countryman and friend.' They rejoined, 'Thou art indeed our
countryman!' The joy on both sides was very great, and we continued in
conversation for a considerable time, when at last they invited me to
accompany them to an island about an hour's row from the shore, where
I should find their wives and children, who would give me a cordial
welcome. I well knew that in doing this I put myself entirely in their
power; but conceiving it to be of essential service to our Saviour's
cause that I should venture my life among them, and endeavour to