270 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



The Hope was just starting for Blacklead Island, 

 and Mr. Peck returned in her, landing at 6 p.m. 



From that moment until midnight he was busy 

 packing and entertaining the numerous callers. 



After a few hours' rest, rising again at 4 a.m., he 

 had to go on board the Hope, as she was to start 

 early that morning. The two recently united col- 

 leagues commended each other to God and started 

 for the ship. 



A touching and interesting farewell then took place. 

 The sorrowing Eskimos, fearing that they would 

 see the face of their beloved teacher no more, 

 crowded on board for a sad good-bye. Some of the 

 old women produced knives, and requested Mr. 

 Peck to cut their flesh deeply, so that they might 

 always have a scar to look at and remind them of 

 him. It is only fair, however, to say that they did 

 not mean or expect their friend to take them at their 

 word. It was merely a form of expressing their 

 love and sorrow, and an indication of the wound 

 that the separation would cause in their hearts. 



It is needless to say that Mr. Peck was deeply 

 touched by these tokens of affection, and full of 

 sadness as well as bright hope, he watched his island 

 disappear as the steamer forged ahead. 



We do not know that Mr. Peck ever had any real 

 intention of saying a final farewell at this time to 

 his Eskimo friends at Blacklead Island. We do 

 not think he seriously contemplated such a step, 



