25th.  At 6 P.M. we got under weigh with a fine S.E. wind, and made for the island of Aulatzevik, which is about the same size as an island of the same name, near Kiglapeyd.  The passage between the island and the main is too shallow for an European boat like ours.  The wind rising we sailed towards Kakkeviak at a great rate.  To the right lay a chain of small islands called by the Esquimaux Pikkiulits, (the habitation of young eider-ducks).  Having nearly doubled Kakkeviak cape, we perceived two tents on shore, which occasioned loud rejoicings on board.  They belonged to Kumiganna of Saeglek, with his party, who being bound to Killinek, had promised to accompany us thither.  The wind was very high, and the Cape encircled with numerous visible and invisible rocks, but there was a clear passage to the shore, keeping outside of the breakers.  But whether from the violence of the wind, or from the eagerness with which our trusty captain wished soon to join his countrymen, he steered right through the midst of them, when suddenly the boat struck with great violence upon a sunken rock.  The shock was so great, that all on board were thrown down, and every thing tumbled about.  Poor Agnes, Jonas’s wife, got a severe wound in her head.  We immediately took in all our sails, and after hard labour, succeeded in pushing the boat off the rock.  On examination we found that all was safe, and thanked God, with hearts filled with humble acknowledgments of His mercy, for preserving us from danger and death.  The boat had struck in such a manner, that the keel, which was new and strong, being constructed of one solid piece of timber, sustained the whole shock.  Had she taken the rock with her bottom, she would most likely have bilged, or upset, and it is a great question, whether our lives, but particularly the lives of the little children, could have been saved, the sea running very high.  The skin-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.