lash back towards us, and a quick turn of the
wrist makes the end of it crack like a pistol. I have purchased that
implement, but I doubt if any amount of practice would enable me to
perform the feat of cracking it with safety to myself and the
bystanders.

To the east of the mission-house there is a pretty waterfall about ten
or twelve feet in depth. It is the last leap of a mountain brook,
which in summer flows swiftly down the deep ravine, which it has cut.
Higher up, a part of the pure, clear stream is diverted as the water
supply for the mission-house and the native huts. As at Hopedale and
Zoar, this runs off a trough about a hundred yards from the house. At
Nain and Okak it is conducted straight into the kitchen, when desired.
In winter every station is liable to the freezing of the ordinary
supply, and then water must be fetched from a distance, or if none can
be found, snow or ice must be melted. Icicles are hanging from the
trough here to-day, for though the sun is warm now, there were four or
five degrees of frost last night, and the wind is still keen. In
spring, when a thaw sets in, this little stream is a source of danger
to Ramah. Its deep channel is filled with snow, and the pent-up
torrent, seeking an outlet, is apt to escape from its usual bounds and
start an avalanche down the steep declivity. When the thaw becomes
general, there is a grand series of leaping cataracts and roaring
rapids in that ravine.

[Illustration: AN ESKIMO IN HIS KAYAK.]

A FAITHFUL NATIVE HELPER.

I would that young Gottlob, now living at Ramah, might turn out as
good a man as his late namesake. Let me take you to old Gottlob's
grave, and there tell you the story of himself and his family. The
little "God's acre" is scarcely an acre, and it should be enclosed.
Flat slaty stones, suitable for wall, lie around in abundance, brought
down by the avalanche, which a year or two ago endangered the station,
but happily did no more damage than destroy the powder-house and
devastate the burial-ground. Kegs of powder and tombstones were
carried far out on to the ice of the bay. Most of the latter were
recovered unbroken and replaced, and among them the one of which we
are in search. Here it is, a simple square slate tablet of touching
interest. The Eskimo inscription informs us that Gottlob was born in
1816. He was the child of heathen parents at Nachvak, and grew up in
paganism. Presently he came under the influence of the G