care of the brethren's missions on the coast of Labrador; the duties
of his office required a visit to Okkak, the most northern of our
settlements, and about one hundred and fifty English miles distant
from Nain, the place where he resided. Brother William Turner being
appointed to accompany him, they left Nain on March the 11th, early in
the morning, with very clear weather, the stars shining with uncommon
lustre. The sledge was driven by the baptized Esquimaux Mark, and
another sledge with Esquimaux joined company. The two sledges
contained five men, one woman, and a child. All were in good spirits,
and appearances being much in their favour, they hoped to reach Okkak
in safety, in two or three days. The track over the frozen sea was in
the best possible order, and they went with ease at the rate of six or
seven miles an hour. After they had passed the islands in the bay of
Nain, they kept at a considerable distance from the coast, both to
gain the smoothest part of the ice, and to weather the high rocky
promontory of Kiglapeit. About eight o'clock they met a sledge with
Esquimaux turning in from the sea. After the usual salutations, the
Esquimaux alighting, held some conversation, as is their general
practice, the result of which was, that some hints were thrown out by
the strange Esquimaux that it might be as well to return. However, as
the missionaries saw no reason whatever for it, and only suspected
that the Esquimaux wished to enjoy the company of their friends a
little longer, they proceeded. After some time their own Esquimaux
hinted that there was a ground-swell under the ice. It was then hardly
perceptible, except on lying down and applying the ear close to the
ice, when a hollow disagreeable grating and roaring noise was heard,
as if ascending from the abyss. The weather remained clear except
toward the east, where a bank of light clouds appeared, interspersed
with some dark streaks; but the wind being strong from the north west,
nothing less than a sudden change of weather was expected.