FAREWELL TO HOLSTEINBORG. 



81 



I hastened up to the governor's house with my letters. He 

 and his deputy met me, and I was heartily pressed to enter. Ev- 

 ery one knew of our early departure, and numerous boats full of 

 Esquimaux were seen hastening to the vessel. But my own feel- 

 ings at the time will be better expressed by the following extracts 

 from my private journal : 



" Seated in the office-room, I added a few words to my corre- 

 spondence home — to my dear ones, and to my noble friend, Hen- 

 ry Grinnell. I then sealed up my letters and gave them to the 

 governor, who kindly offered himself to carry the packet to God- 

 haab, which place he soon intended to visit, and from whence a 

 government vessel was to sail for Copenhagen in September. I 

 was then invited down into the room where I had spent many 

 pleasant hours with Governor Elberg. There I found awaiting 

 the three parting glasses — one for me, one for the governor, and 

 one for the lieutenant governor. Each had some good saying to 

 utter. Blessings must and will follow to us all if kindly prayers 

 can avail. With all my heart I thanked the governor for his 

 great and increasing kindness to me while within his harbor; 

 ay, more, I thanked him for his hospitality, which was overwhelm- 

 ing. 



" My time was short. The lieutenant governor took me to his 

 domicil. Then I hastened to the priest's, to bid Mrs. Kjer and 

 Miss Biilou farewell. I then found the governor had ordered his 

 boat to take me on board, he and the lieutenant governor intend- 

 ing to accompany me. The ladies walked down to the landing 

 with us, where I expressed a hope to have the pleasure of again 

 seeing them after three or four years time in the United States. 

 I especially promised that the lady who sometimes here is ' blue 

 with cold' should never be so while there. A warm — a last shake 

 of the hand, and I bid them an affectionate adieu. I was then 

 carried away, amid the sorrowing hearts of many. * * * 



" On the 7th day of this month I rejoiced when I first put my 



foot where I was now bidding farewell in tears. Then I rejoiced 



that God had brought me in safety, that I might put my foot upon 



arctic ground. Not a soul did I know in the whole North. In 



seventeen days I was acquainted with all Holsteinborg. I now 



leave it with regret. I sorrow at parting from so noble a people! 

 •* * * * 



" Kyacks in large numbers danced around us as we made our 

 way to the ship. I remarked to the governor that with all the 



F 



