test young men to spy out the land ahead. These
had discovered the camp, entered it, professing to be wandering hunters,
and had then returned to their friends with the news that many of the
men had gone away hunting, and would probably remain out all night; also
that an oomiak full of women had gone off to the southward to fish.

The runners, happening to descend to the coast on the opposite side of a
ridge from Rooney and his companions, just missed meeting them, and
returned to their comrades shortly after the massacre. Grimlek knew
that whatever course he should pursue must be prompt and decisive. He
at once divided his men into two bands, one of which he sent to pursue
and capture the women who had gone to fish; with the other, which he led
in person, he resolved either to storm the camp or take it by surprise,
as circumstances might point out.

By the straight way of the shore the distance was not great. In fact,
the camp might have been seen from the spot where the massacre had been
perpetrated, but for a high promontory which concealed it. On rounding
this promontory, the party detailed to pursue the women glided into the
bushes and disappeared. Grimlek, with the remaining men, advanced
straight and openly towards the camp. He saw, however, on drawing near,
that the number of men in it were more than a match for his small party,
and therefore approached with friendly demonstrations.

They were hospitably received by Hans Egede.

"My friends," he said, "you have arrived just as we are assembling to
talk about the things that concern our souls, the future life, and the
Good Spirit. Will you and your men sit down and listen?"

For a few moments Grimlek did not reply. Then he said, "You are not an
Eskimo?"

"No, I am a Kablunet," replied Egede; "I have been sent to tell the
Eskimos about the true God."

Again the robber chief was silent. Then he said that he would consult
with his men, and retired with them a short distance to do so.

"Nothing better could have happened," he said in a low tone. "The
Kablunet is going to talk to them about his God. All we have to do is
to mingle with them. Let each of you choose his man and sit down beside
him. When I give the signal, strike at once, and let no second blow be
needed."

A murmur of assent was all that the band returned to this speech, and
Grimlek, returning to the missionary, said that he and his men were
ready to hear.

In a few minutes each