driving about in the air, deprived the travellers almost of the power of hearing and seeing any thing distinctly.  To make the land at any risk, was now the only hope left, but it was with the utmost difficulty, that the frightened dogs could be forced forward—­the whole body of ice sinking frequently below the surface of the rocks, then rising above it.  As the only moment to land was that when it gained the level of the coast, the attempt was extremely nice and hazardous.  However, by God’s mercy, it succeeded; both sledges gained the shore, and were drawn up the beach with much difficulty.

“The travellers had hardly time to reflect with gratitude to God on their safety, when that part of the ice from which they had just made good their landing, burst asunder, and the water, forcing itself from below, covered and precipitated it into the sea.  In an instant, as if by a signal given, the whole mass of ice, extending for several miles from the coast, and as far as the eye could reach, began to burst and to be overwhelmed by the immense waves.  The sight was tremendous, and awfully grand—­the large fields of ice, raising themselves out of the water, striking against each other, and plunging into the deep with a violence not to be described, and a noise like the discharge of innumerable batteries of heavy guns.  The darkness of the night, the roaring of the wind and sea, and the dashing of the waves and ice against the rocks, filled the travellers with sensations of awe and horror, as almost to deprive them of the power of utterance.  They stood overwhelmed with astonishment at their miraculous escape, and even the heathen Esquimaux expressed gratitude to God for their deliverance.

“The Esquimaux now began to build a snow-house, about thirty paces from the beach; but before they had finished their work, the waves reached the place where the sledges were secured, and they were with difficulty saved from being washed into the sea.

“About 9 o’clock all of them crept into the snow-house, thanking God for this place of refuge; for the wind was piercingly cold, and so violent, that it required great strength to be able to stand against it.

“Before they entered their habitation, they could not help once more turning to the sea, which was now free from ice, and beheld with horror, mingled with gratitude for their safety, the enormous waves driving furiously before the wind, like huge castles, and approaching the shore, where, with dreadful noise, they dashed against the rocks, foaming, and filling the air with the spray.  The whole company now got their supper; and having sung an evening hymn in the Esquimaux language, lay down to rest about ten o’clock.  They lay so close, that if any one stirred, his neighbour was roused by it.  The Esquimaux were soon fast asleep, but brother Liebisch could not get any rest, partly on account of the dreadful roaring of the wind and sea, and partly owing to a sore throat which gave him great pain.  Both missionaries were also much engaged in their minds in contemplating the dangerous situation into which they had been brought, and amidst all thankfulness for their great deliverance from immediate death, could not but cry unto the Lord for his help in this time of need.”