In the evening, the sky became clear and their hope revived. Mark and Joel went out to reconnoitre, and brought word that the ice had acquired a considerable degree of solidity, and might soon be fit for use. The poor dogs had meanwhile fasted for near four days, but now, in the prospect of a speedy release, the missionaries allowed to each a few morsels of food. The temperature of the air having been rather mild, it occasioned a new source of distress; for by the warm exhalations of the inhabitants, the roof of the snow-house got to be in a melting state, which occasioned a continual dropping, and by degrees made every thing soaking wet. The missionaries report, that they considered this the greatest hardship they had to endure, for they had not a dry thread about them, nor a dry place to lie down in. On the 16th the sky cleared, but the fine particles of snow were driven about like clouds. Joel and Kassigiak resolved to pursue their journey to Okkak by the way of Nuasornak, and set out with the wind and snow full in their faces. Mark could not resolve to proceed farther north, because, in his opinion, the violence of the wind had driven the ice off the coast at Tikkerarsuk, so as to render it impossible to land; but he thought he might proceed to the south with safety, and get round Kiglapeit. The missionaries endeavoured to persuade him to follow the above mentioned company to Okkak; but it was in vain, and they did not feel at liberty to insist upon it, not being sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances. Their present distress dictated the necessity of venturing something to reach the habitations of men, and yet they were rather afraid of passing over the newly frozen sea under Kiglapiet, and could not immediately determine what to do. Brother Turner, therefore, went again with Mark to examine the ice, and both seemed satisfied that it would hold. They therefore came at last to a resolution to return to Nain, and commit themselves to the protection of the Lord. On the 17th, the wind had considerably increased with heavy showers of snow and sleet, but they set off at half-past ten o'clock in the forenoon. Mark ran all the way round Kiglapiet before the sledge to find a good track, and about one o'clock, through God's mercy, they were out of danger and reached the bay. Here they found a good track, upon smooth ice, made a meal of the remnant of their provisions and got some warm coffee. Thus refreshed, they resolved to proceed without stopping till they reached Nain, where they arrived at twelve o'clock at night. The brethren at Nain rejoiced exceedingly to see them return, for by several hints of the Esquimaux, who first met them going out to sea, and who then, in their own obscure way, had endeavoured to warn them of the ground swell, but had not been attended to, their fellow missionaries, and especially their wives, had been much terrified. One of these Esquimaux, whose