Our own boat upset, but the carpenter
kept himself and me above water, and we drifted in. I had no
strength to call upon after my recent fever, and laid down to die;
but he found the tracks of a man and dog the second day, and
got along the shore to one of those far missionary stations that
the Moravians support. They were very poor themselves, and in
distress; 'twas a useless place. There were but few Esquimaux left
in that region. There we remained for some time, and I became
acquainted with strange events.
The captain lifted his head and gave me a questioning glance.
I could not help noticing that the dulled look in his eyes had
gone, and there was instead a clear intentness that made them seem
dark and piercing.
"There was a supply ship expected, and the pastor, an
excellent Christian man, made no doubt that we should get passage
in her. He was hoping that orders would come to break up the
station; but everything was uncertain, and we got on the best we
could for a while. We fished, and helped the people in other ways;
there was no other way of paying our debts.
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