n-boat was thrown right over the rocks on shore, by the violence of
the surf.

Kumiganna soon came off in his kayak, and advised us to steer for the
land right before us, where he thought we should find _Uttakiyok_; nor
was there any safe anchorage in this place. We therefore took a young
Esquimaux on board as pilot, and steered between the main land and the
islands, for _Oppernavik_, twenty English miles off. Having left the
skin-boat to follow us, we cut swiftly through the water, and soon
reached the place of our destination.

CHAPTER VII.

_Arrival at Oppernavik. Account of Uttakiyok. His perseverance
in waiting for the arrival of the Missionaries. Islands and
bays between Kakkeviak and Killinek. Danger in the ice at
Ammitok. Want of fuel supplied by robbing old graves._

When we arrived at Oppernavik, we found _Uttakiyok_, with his two wives
and youngest brother, waiting to receive us. He and his family are from
the Ungava bay, and had been upon the watch in this place during the
whole spring. They welcomed us with shouts of joy, and firing of their
pieces, and we had indeed the greatest reason to thank God, that he had
sent us this man, to conduct us on our way to an unknown country, and
through unfrequented seas.

For this service Uttakiyok was eminently qualified, and without such a
steady, faithful guide, we should have been wandering in the most
painful and dangerous uncertainty in the desert regions to the West of
Cape Chudleigh, where, on a coast of 100 miles in length, we did not
meet with a single inhabitant. He was so anxiously intent upon meeting
us, that he had erected signals on all the heights surrounding his tent,
to prevent our missing him. Among his countrymen he is much respected,
on account of his superior sense, and skill in all Esquimaux arts, and
possesses great influence among them.

_Uttakiyok_ was one of the two Esquimaux, from whom, in the year 1800,
we received the first distinct information respecting the Ungava country
and its inhabitants, by which the desire, excited both at home and here
in Labrador, to visit the northern Esquimaux, was greatly strengthened,
and led to a resolution, if possible, to take early steps to accomplish
this object, (See page 3).

Two years ago, he had been on a trading voyage to Okkak, from Killinek,
where he then dwelt, and intended to return, in the summer following, to
Ungava, his native country, but an illness, which befel his son,