ution, without any
proper chart, in misty weather, and with the sounding line constantly
in their hands. At length they landed, and proceeded in search of the
Esquimaux in order to traffic with them. On the 29th July they made
their first appearance in five kaiaks, which they managed with great
dexterity, and seemed highly delighted with Erhardt, who, from his
knowledge of the Greenlandish, could make himself understood by them.
They exchanged some whale fins for knives. July 31 they came to anchor
55 deg. 31 m. N.L. in a beautiful harbour, surrounded by a wooded high
land, and bounded by meadow grounds, to which, from respect to the
chief owner of the ship, they gave the name of Nisbet's Harbour.

There the brethren, with the assistance of the sailors, brought their
house on shore, and erected it on this pleasant spot--for it was
summer[A]--which they called Hoffenthal, _i.e._ Hopevale; they
received from the ship all that was necessary for the supply of their
present wants, and putting their confidence in the protection of
their heavenly Father, they took up their habitation.

Erhardt, in the mean time, carried on a considerable trade with the
natives, who seemed very desirous to assemble around him, and showed
him particular marks of affection and attachment. Having remained till
the 5th of September, and having seen the brethren, to all appearance,
comfortably settled in their dwelling, the vessel left to proceed
further to the north, for the purpose of completing her cargo, and
Drachart, who had engaged to return to Europe, received in charge the
brethren's letters for their friends, and bade them farewell.

Ten days after, on the 15th, the missionaries, to their astonishment,
perceived the Hope again re-enter Nisbet's Harbour. Upon boarding her,
they learned the painful heart-rending news, that Erhardt, the
captain, ship's clerk, and four sailors, had left the ship in a boat
filled with merchandize, and for one day had conducted a friendly and
gainful traffic with the Esquimaux; but being enticed by the savages,
had consented to repeat their visit, perhaps proceed farther into the
country, or along the coast, and were never seen more. The vessel,
with the remains of the crew, had waited in a state of the most
anxious distressing expectation two days and three nights, in hopes of
their return; but as they never made their appearance, and they had no
other boat to send in quest of them, they were constrained to le