17th.  Being detained with drift-ice at the mouth of the bay, we pitched our tent on shore.  We examined the bay more minutely.  It extends to the West to a considerable depth, and is not protected by any islands, except a few rocks, at some distance in the sea.  The surrounding mountains are very high, steep, and barren, and verdure is found only in the vallies.  Here the arnica montana, which the Missionaries have found of great use among the Esquimaux, grows in great abundance.  Salmon-trout are caught in every creek and inlet.

Like the salmon, they remain in the rivers and fresh-water lakes during the winter, and return to the sea in spring.  The Esquimaux about Okkak and Saeglek, catch them in winter under the ice by spearing.  For this purpose, they make two holes in the ice, about eight inches in diameter, and six feet asunder, in a direction from north to south.  The northern hole they screen from the sun, by a bank of snow about four feet in height, raised in a semicircle round its southern edge, and form another similar bank on the north-side of the southern hole, sloped in such a manner as to reflect the rays of the sun into it.  The Esquimaux then lies down, with his face close to the northern aperture, beneath which the water is strongly illuminated by the sunbeams entering at the southern.  In his left hand he holds a red string, with which he plays in the water, to allure the fish, and in his right a spear, ready to strike them as they approach.  In this manner they soon take as many as they want.

The salmon-trout on this coast are from twelve to eighteen inches long, and in August and September so fat, that the Esquimaux collect from them a sufficient quantity of oil for their lamps.  The immense abundance of these fish on all parts of the coast, would almost at any time save the Esquimaux from starving with hunger; but as seals furnish them both with food and clothing, it is of most consequence to them to attend to this branch of supply.  At Hopedale and Nain, however, salmon-trout are caught only in the summer.

We were much pleased with the behaviour of our own Esquimaux, during their stay at Nachvak.  In every respect they conducted themselves, in word and deed, as true Christian people.  Their conversation with their heathen countrymen, was free and unreserved, and “to the use of edifying.”  Jonathan and Jonas in particular, gave us great satisfaction.

The people having assembled in Jonathan’s tent, those who had no room in it, standing without and listening with great order and stillness, Brother Kohlmeister addressed them, explaining the aim of our voyage; that we were going, out of love to their nation, to the northern Esquimaux, and to those of Ungava bay, to make known to them the love of God our Saviour; and, by the gospel, to point out to them the way to obtain life everlasting.  We knew that they were heathen, who, being ignorant of the way to God, were in bondage to the devil, and would be lost for ever, unless God had mercy upon them and sent them his word, to lead them to Jesus Christ their only Saviour, who shed His blood, and died on the cross to redeem their souls.