Rein-deer sinews are what, according to the superstition of the country, dare not be brought near a whale. But the brethren that morning had plaited some whale sinew, and fastened the haft of the ax with which they intended to cut up the whale; and he, supposing that they had been the sinews of the rein-deer, raised the cry. Being informed of his mistake, he changed his tone and exclaimed, "O! the rotten wood! O! the rotten wood!" Rotten wood is expressly forbid to be burnt in the preparation of food, but Jans Haven had brought some pieces in a sledge along with the rest of the fuel; the Esquimaux, to whom the sledge belonged, had carefully picked it out and thrown it away, and the conjurer was informed that in this also he was mistaken. He was then called upon to say, as he affirmed that Torngak was there, how he could be mistaken. With an ingenuity that would have done credit to a Jesuit, he answered, "There is one present that keeps us back, he cannot go with us." Every person in the company being mentioned, he pointed out Jans Haven. Haven immediately rose, and looking the sorcerer full in the face, prayed to the Saviour to stop the mouth of that wicked one. Struck with the unexpected intrepidity of the missionary, and the appeal to a name of which they all had some knowledge, the Angekok was utterly confounded; he grumbled and foamed, but could not utter a word. Providentially at this very moment two persons arrived with intelligence that the whale was lying safe, and had not been driven away; and Haven, charging the fellow with his imposture and lies, commanded him not to attempt accompanying them, or removing from the place where he was. The astonished sorcerer made no attempt to disobey.