THE MISSIONS 227 



stock is steadily growing and displacing both Indians and 

 Eskimo. Farther north, the Moravians care for the Eskimo. 

 The Hudson's Bay Company have also made a bid for their 

 trade, establishing posts at Nachvak (since abandoned) 

 and at Ungava. 



At present the Moravians have six stations. The most 

 northerly station is that at Killinek, or Cape Chidley. 

 Here the Eskimo, attracted by the excellent seal-fishery, 

 walrus, and white-whale fishery to be had at the cape, 

 have gathered from the northeast coast and from Ungava 

 Bay. Though the turbulent currents and whirlpools are 

 dangerous to kayaks, the Eskimo have no fear of venturing 

 out, and, at times, cross to the Button Islands to hunt 

 there. A man with his family will, in the spring, transfer 

 all his belongings to a pan of ice at Fort Chimo, and live by 

 hunting and shooting on the floating ice till he arrives at 

 the cape, one hundred and eighty miles distant. He finds 

 no monotony, feels no cold, and knows no fear of conditions 

 which would whiten the hair of many a bold European. 



At the present time one Moravian family dwells at the 

 station. They have themselves built a house, church, 

 and stores. Even the church is admirably constructed to 

 keep out the cold. It is floored under the sills, double 

 floored over them, and filled between with cement. Thick 

 tarred paper in one piece runs up in a similar manner be- 

 tween the layers of the wall. To Europeans the site seems 

 the most villainous dwelling-place possible. The settle- 

 ment is situated in a deep gulch with a wall of rock opposite, 

 shutting out any view; a terribly dangerous current runs 

 through the defile. The tides rise and fall thirty-five feet. 

 The land is entirely bare of woody growth, even shrubs, 



