About this time the hearts of the missionaries were revived by the
joyful news, that Tuglavina had begun to think about his soul, and
seemed in earnest. This furious savage, by strength, courage, and
activity, had procured a commanding influence among his countrymen;
who so highly dreaded him as a chief, and trembled at his supernatural
powers as an Angekok, that his word was a law; and he had only to
signify to them his pleasure as a revelation from Torngak, when it was
instantly executed. Whoever he pointed out as a victim, his deluded
followers were ready to sacrifice. Besides the numerous murders thus
perpetrated, he committed many with his own hands; nor was there any
method of controlling or bringing him to an account. He had, however,
at first, and upon many occasions, been of essential service to the
mission; and entertained a peculiar respect for the missionaries,
particularly "little Jans," of which a striking instance is narrated
in the journals. At one time, when he returned from the south from
Chateau Bay, where he had purchased a two masted shallop, arms and
ammunition, &c. he presented himself before Haven dressed in an
English officer's old uniform, swaggering with a cocked hat, and sword
by his side. Haven, with a grave aspect looking him in the face,
asked, "What do you want here, Kablunat?" "Do you not know me?"
replied the other, "I am Tuglavina." "Art thou Tuglavina?" retorted
Jans, "then set off this moment, I have nothing to say to you in that
attire; but put on thy own dress, and come again and act like a
rational Esquimaux, and I will speak to you." Tuglavina, confounded,
made no reply, but left the room; and without regarding the pitiful
figure he was about to cut before his countrymen, laid aside his
splendid apparel, resumed his seal skin clothes, and returned to the
missionaries. These holy men, who neglected no opportunity of
representing to him the guilt of his crimes, now pointed out the
atrocity of the murders he had committed, or occasioned, and sharply
reproved him for seducing the baptized to participate with him in his
heathenish abominations. Tuglavina trembled, grew pale, and confessed
he was an horrible sinner; but, like some men who call themselves
Christians, excused himself on the ground of necessity. "I must sin,"
said he, "for Torngak drives me to it." He frequently repeated this
confession of his sins; but dazzled by the respect in which he was
held by his countrymen, it was extremely difficult for him to think of
relinquishing this flattering distinction, and humble himself under
the mighty hand of God. But at length the time came when this once
dreaded chieftain must lose his influence. His bodily vigour began to
decline, and he saw and feared an enemy in every one of those whose
relations he had murdered. He began to grow poor, and his numerous
wives either deserted him or were carried away by force; of the whole
number one only clave to him in his adversity. Amid this extraordinary
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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