BEHIND THE SCENES 291 



the new building, which they had in a spirit of self- 

 denial given up for that purpose, they were now to 

 take possession of and make themselves a little 

 more comfortable than they had been. 



We have in former chapters peeped behind the 

 scenes and looked at the daily routine of the mis- 

 sionary's life. It is consequently now unnecessary to 

 do so again, but it may be mentioned that Mr. Peck's 

 time was to some extent occupied by instructing 

 the newly arrived colleague in the Eskimo language. 



Each of the three brethren was more or less 

 proficient in the art of cooking, and they took it in 

 turn, week and week about, to be responsible for the 

 culinary department. Sometimes there was not 

 much in the way of meat at any rate on which the 

 chef could display his talents. This was rather 

 trying. " What would friends at home do I won- 

 der," writes Mr. Peck, " if they had no butchers' 

 shops to go to for their Christmas dinner." With 

 this festive season in the near prospect he and Mr. 

 Sampson had been searching for game some five 

 miles out, but alas ! the sight of only a few tracks 

 was all that rewarded their effort. However, failure 

 this time made them more wary another Christmas. 

 Time was indeed taken by the forelock. " What 

 did we have for dinner ? asks the cunning missionary 

 in triumph. " Why, jugged hare and plum pud- 

 ding quite a royal repast. The plum pudding 

 was a gift sent out by a kind friend in England. 



