the day dawned, the Esquimaux cut
a hole into a large drift of snow, to screen the woman and child, and
the two missionaries. Brother Liebisch, however, could not bear the
closeness of the air, and was obliged to sit down at the entrance,
when the Esquimaux covered him with skins to keep him warm, as the
pain in his throat was very great.

As soon as it was light, they built another snow house; and miserable
as such an accommodation is at all times, they were glad and thankful
to creep into it. It was about eight feet square, and six or seven
feet high. They now congratulated each other on their deliverance, but
found themselves in very bad plight. The missionaries had taken but a
small stock of provisions with them, merely sufficient for the short
journey to Okkak. Joel, his wife and child, and Kassigiak the
sorcerer, had nothing at all. They were therefore obliged to divide
the small stock into daily portions, especially as there appeared no
hopes of soon quitting this place, and reaching any dwellings. Only
two ways were left for this purpose--either to attempt the land
passage across the wild and unfrequented mountain Kiglapeit, or to
wait for a new ice-track over the sea, which it might require much
time to form. They therefore resolved to serve out no more than a
biscuit and a half per man per day. But as this would not by any means
satisfy an Esquimaux's stomach, the missionaries offered to give one
of their dogs to be killed for them, on condition that in case
distress obliged them to resort again to that expedient, the next dog
killed should be one of the Esquimaux's team. They replied they should
be glad of it, if they had a kettle to boil the flesh in; but as that
was not the case, they must suffer hunger, for they could not even yet
eat dogs' flesh in its raw state. The missionaries now remained in the
snow-house, and every day endeavoured to boil so much water over their
lamp as might serve them for two dishes of coffee a piece. Through
mercy, they were preserved in good health, and brother Liebisch quite
unexpectedly recovered on the first day of his sore throat. The
Esquimaux also kept up their spirits, and even the rough heathen
Kassigiak declared that it was proper to be thankful that they were
still alive, adding, that if they had remained a very little longer
upon the ice yesterday, all their bones would have been broken to
pieces in a short time. He had however his heels frozen, and suffered
consid