KAKSIMIUT. 2-i9 



a letter. The contents were not comforting. Beyond 

 there lay much ice (so it ran), and an English Kryolite 

 ship, which had run out of Ivikat the week before, had 

 suffered greatly, was obhged to return, and now lay a 

 wreck in the harbour. Upon this we rejoiced that we 

 were in the Constance ; for had we gone to Ivikat instead, 

 we should no doubt have taken shelter on board this 

 ship, as at the time none other lay ready for departure. 

 Thus it might still have happened that we might be once 

 more banished by the ice to Greenland. 



On the 15th of July, another attempt to run out was 

 made. At first it seemed as if we should soon reach the 

 island of Kaksimiut, but unfortunately a calm fell when 

 half-way ; indeed, we saw ourselves driven a good 

 way back by the storm. Towards evening the wind 

 changed, and we at last reached the latitude of the 

 island. Company was soon found. The youth of the 

 place paddled about, and made a noise in their Kajaks 

 around the ship. The chasing and raillery of the merry 

 crowd knew no end ; at the same time vying with each 

 other in paddling and throwing the harpoon, in which 

 they exhibited great proficiency. As it got dai'k the 

 swarm returned to land. It was midnight before we 

 got into the harbour ; and the darkness rendered it 

 more difficult to find a good place for dropping anchor. 

 The following afternoon we resolved to go on shore. 

 Our only comfort in weariness (tobacco !), was it not 

 vanishing ? and now our last penny must be expended in 

 its purchase. Kaksimiut is a provision depot. The 

 Danish government have here erected a small dwelling- 

 house, a still smaller warehouse, and an oil-store. 

 Around these buildings are grouped some dozen Green- 



