210 THE GERMAN AECTIG EXrEDITION. 



brought a letter from the Governor of the colony, 

 which was very laconic : " The German Arctic Explorers 

 could not sail in the Constance, as she must start at 

 once, having to make another voyage to Greenland," 

 It further said, that we had better go on to Ivikat ; that 

 there we might meet with a vessel which would take 

 us up. Of the possibility of the next expected ship, the 

 Peru, granting us a passage, there was not one word. 

 There we sat, but little edified by the amiability of the 

 Danish oflBcial, consulting as to what we should do. In 

 about three weeks the Peru might arrive; but the 

 missionaries were of opinion that, from national con- 

 siderations, we had less chance of a passage by this ship. 

 But in any case, to travel to Ivikat by the boats would 

 be very diflBcult; added to which, according to our calcu- 

 lations, it would take us at least ten days, supposing that 

 the favourable weather we had previously had should 

 still accompany us. And now the further question arose, 

 should we, above all, find a ship there, which would 

 take us ? and, if so, what sort of one ? Long we con- 

 sulted. At last we decided, that as in any case we must 

 now claim help from the mission-station, the head of the 

 house should be called in from the Fjord, and as he 

 should advise, so we would act. 



Again Mr. Starick and Mr. Hildebrandt undertook 

 the boat journey. Dr. Laube would this time have 

 liked to have been of the party, but for a long time past 

 he had felt too unwell, and preferred remaining at home. 

 That same evening some young fellows arrived in a boat 

 from Julianeshaab on their way to Nennortalik. They 

 thought they could not allow the opportunity to pass 

 without obtaining at least a handful of tobacco, and, if 



