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LABORS OF THE MISSIONARIES. 
later the same fate befell the seamen of another vessel 
that had accidentally stranded. 
But for the last hundred years Greenland has been 
safer for the wrecked mariner than many parts of 
our own coast. Hospitality is the universal charac¬ 
teristic, enjoined upon the converted as a Christian 
duty, but everywhere a virtue of savage life. From 
Upernavik to Cape Farewell, the Esquimaux does not 
hesitate to devote his own meal to the necessities of a 
guest. 
The benefits of the missionary school are not con¬ 
fined to the Christianized natives; and it is observable 
that the virtues of truth, self-reliance, and generous 
bearing, have been inculcated successfully with men 
who still cherish the wild traditionary superstitions of 
their fathers. Some of these are persons of strongly- 
marked character, and are trusted largely by the 
Danish officials. One of them, the nalegak-soak, or 
great chief, Noluk, claims to have been the king or 
“ head-man” of his people. 
But among the native Greenlanders, as among other 
nomads, there seems to be no recognition of master¬ 
ship except such as may be claimed by superiority of 
prowess. They have definite traditions of the organized 
games and exercises by which this superiority used to 
be authenticated. Indeed, the custom obtained until 
within the two last generations, and is traceable still 
in many of the periodical sports. Wrestling, jumping, 
tracking by the fingers or with hooked arms, pusliin 
heel to heel in a sitting posture, dealing and receivin 
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