ual and comprehensive total abstinence movement. We are bound of
course to recognise the fact that it began in impulse, and was continued
from necessity--no more drink being obtainable there at that time.
Still, Egede and Rooney, as well as the better-disposed among the
Eskimos, rejoiced in the event, for it was an unquestionable blessing so
far as it went.

As the Eskimos had settled down on that spot for some weeks for the
purpose of hunting--which was their only method of procuring the
necessaries of life,--and as there was no pressing necessity for the
missionary or his friends proceeding just then to Godhaab, it was
resolved that they should all make a short stay at the place, to assist
the Eskimos in their work, as well as to recruit the health and strength
of those who had been enfeebled by recent hardship and starvation.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

TELLS OF MEN WHOSE ACTIONS END IN SMOKE, AND OF OTHERS WHOSE PLOTS END
IN DEEDS OF DARKNESS.

This is a world of surprises. However long we may live, and however
much we may learn, the possibility of being surprised remains with us,
and our capacity for blazing astonishment is as great as when first,
with staggering gait, we escaped from the nursery into space and stood
irresolute, with the world before us where to choose.

These thoughts arise from the remembrance of Okiok as he stood one
morning open-mouthed, open-eyed, open-souled, and, figuratively,
petrified, gazing at something over a ledge of rock.

What that something was we must learn from Okiok himself, after he had
cautiously retired from the scene, and run breathlessly back towards the
Eskimo village, where the first man he met was Red Rooney.

"I--I've seen it," gasped the Eskimo, gripping the seaman's arm
convulsively.

"Seen what?"

"Seen a man--on fire; and he seems not to mind it!"

"On fire! A man! Surely not. You must be mistaken."

"No, I am quite sure," returned Okiok, with intense earnestness. "I saw
him with my two eyes, and smoke was coming out of him."

Rooney half-suspected what the Eskimo had seen, but there was just
enough of uncertainty to induce him to say, "Come, take me to him."

"Is the man alone?" he asked, as they hurried along.

"No; Ippegoo is with him, staring at him." They soon reached the ledge
of rock where Okiok had seen the "something," and, looking cautiously
over it, Rooney beheld his friend Kajo smoking a long clay pipe such as
Dutchmen are supposed t