hem from eternal misery." To-day the Esquimaux began to eat an
old filthy and worn out skin, which had served them for a mattress.

On the 15th the weather continued extremely boisterous, and the
Esquimaux appeared every now and then to sink under disappointment.
But they possess a good quality, namely, a power of going to sleep
when they please, and if need be they will sleep for days and nights
together.

In the evening, the sky became clear and their hope revived. Mark and
Joel went out to reconnoitre, and brought word that the ice had
acquired a considerable degree of solidity, and might soon be fit for
use. The poor dogs had meanwhile fasted for near four days, but now,
in the prospect of a speedy release, the missionaries allowed to each
a few morsels of food. The temperature of the air having been rather
mild, it occasioned a new source of distress; for by the warm
exhalations of the inhabitants, the roof of the snow-house got to be
in a melting state, which occasioned a continual dropping, and by
degrees made every thing soaking wet. The missionaries report, that
they considered this the greatest hardship they had to endure, for
they had not a dry thread about them, nor a dry place to lie down in.

On the 16th the sky cleared, but the fine particles of snow were
driven about like clouds. Joel and Kassigiak resolved to pursue their
journey to Okkak by the way of Nuasornak, and set out with the wind
and snow full in their faces. Mark could not resolve to proceed
farther north, because, in his opinion, the violence of the wind had
driven the ice off the coast at Tikkerarsuk, so as to render it
impossible to land; but he thought he might proceed to the south with
safety, and get round Kiglapeit. The missionaries endeavoured to
persuade him to follow the above mentioned company to Okkak; but it
was in vain, and they did not feel at liberty to insist upon it, not
being sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances. Their present
distress dictated the necessity of venturing something to reach the
habitations of men, and yet they were rather afraid of passing over
the newly frozen sea under Kiglapiet, and could not immediately
determine what to do. Brother Turner, therefore, went again with Mark
to examine the ice, and both seemed satisfied that it would hold. They
therefore came at last to a resolution to return to Nain, and commit
themselves to the protection of the Lord. On the 17th, the wind had
considerably inc