Esquimaux their fearless intrepidity and unsuspecting confidence,
which strongly affected the savages, and greatly increased the
affection and respect in which they before held them. The
missionaries, when attempting to get on board their vessel, were
prevented by the violence of the tempest. Their shallop was driven on
shore and grounded on the rocks. In vain they endeavoured, with the
assistance of the Esquimaux, to get her off: eight of them waded into
the water breast-deep and toiled for upwards of an hour, but could not
move her; meanwhile the vessel went away, and they were left alone
with the natives. Hill and the ship's surgeon endeavoured to follow
the vessel in a small boat, in order to attempt some arrangement; but
just as they had reached her, they were dashed by the waves against
the ship's side and overset, and narrowly escaped with their lives.
Drachart and Haven now betook themselves to the stranded shallop, but
they were destitute of provisions, and the rain fell in torrents. The
Esquimaux, who perceived their wretched situation, came and
represented to them that the boat could not possibly float before the
tide returned in the morning, and invited them to lodge for the night
in their tent, a proposal with which the poor drenched brethren were
glad to comply. Immediately Segulliak, the Angekok, plunged into the
water and brought them successively on his back to the shore; he
afterwards carried them to his tent, caused his wife to procure them
dry garments, and spread a skin on the floor for them to sit and sleep
on. The tent was soon crowded with people, who frequently asked them
if they were not afraid? "We do not know what you intend," answered
they, "but you are our friends, and friends are not afraid of each
other." "We are good Karalits," was the universal rejoinder, "and now
we see you are not Kablunat, but Innuits, and our friends; for you
come to see us without weapons, we will do you no harm." The Esquimaux
then gave the brethren fish, water and some bread they had got from