246
PRESERVATION OF TWO MISSIONARIES.
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 in-
habitants, the roof of the snow-house melted, which occa-
sioned a continual dropping, and by degrees, made every
thing soaking wTet. The missionaries report, that they
considered this the greatest hardship they had to endure;
for they had not a dry place to lie down in.
On the 16th early, the sky cleared, but the fine par-
ticles of snow were driven about like clouds. Joel and
Kissigiak resolved to pursue their journey to Okkak, by
the way of Nuasornak, and set out, 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 Tikkerarusk, 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 Kiglapeit, and could not immediately determine
what to do. William 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.
On the 17th the wind had considerably encreased,
with heavy showers of snow and sleet, but they set off at
half past ten o’clock in the forenoon. Mark ran all the
way
PRESERVATION OF TWO MISSIONARIES.
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 in-
habitants, the roof of the snow-house melted, which occa-
sioned a continual dropping, and by degrees, made every
thing soaking wTet. The missionaries report, that they
considered this the greatest hardship they had to endure;
for they had not a dry place to lie down in.
On the 16th early, the sky cleared, but the fine par-
ticles of snow were driven about like clouds. Joel and
Kissigiak resolved to pursue their journey to Okkak, by
the way of Nuasornak, and set out, 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 Tikkerarusk, 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 Kiglapeit, and could not immediately determine
what to do. William 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.
On the 17th the wind had considerably encreased,
with heavy showers of snow and sleet, but they set off at
half past ten o’clock in the forenoon. Mark ran all the
way