d provides for all his creatures,
endowing them all, whether white or black or copper-colored, with the
same instinct of self-preservation, which leads them to seek and obtain
for the security of their lives the materials that He places within
their reach. How beautiful are all His works! and how constantly He
watches over the rich and the poor, the savage and the Christian, the
just and the unjust alike!

"Thus occupied, we drifted on into the final week of July. There was
scarcely any snow left on the hillsides by this time; the air was filled
with the incessant cry of birds and the constant plash of falling
waters. We could sleep well enough once more on the green grass in the
open air; and another period of watching now began, for here it was that
the vessels passed every year, as the savages told us. Sometimes,
however, they did not stop; but, when the ships appeared, the savages
always went to a valley facing the sea, from one side of which the snow
never melted, and, running to and fro over the white snow, endeavored to
attract the attention of the people on the ships.

"We were much alarmed to find the ice holding firmly along the shore;
and, as far away as the eye could reach, there was not much water to be
seen. At last, however, a strong wind came, and started the ice. Some
cracks were soon opened, and then a long lead or lane of water was seen
stretching away to the south, and running close in by the land.

"The savages said that the _Oomeaksuaks_ (big ships) would come very
soon now, if at all; so we watched very carefully for them. The Dean and
I did not hunt any more, as the savages, seeing how anxious we were, and
how our hearts yearned for our own homes and kindred, provided us with
food in abundance; and, besides this, they sent some of their women and
young lads to aid us in looking out for the ships.

"Thus the time wore on, and we were becoming very fearful that the ships
would not come at all. This was a dreadful thought to us, for, although
the savages were very obliging, yet we looked forward with great dread
to living long with them. Besides this and our longing to get home, we
had had quite enough of this cold, desolate part of the world, where the
sun never sets in summer nor rises in winter.

"While reflecting in this way, we heard one of the savages cry out
'_Oomeaksuak, Oomeaksuak!_' several times; and, running a little higher
up the hillside whence the cry proceeded, our eyes were glad