when a sudden gust from the mountains carried away our after-top-mast,
with sail and tackle. It fell with great noise on the deck, and into the
sea. By God's mercy no one was hurt, and we were more particularly
thankful, that of the five children on board, none were just then on
deck.

It once happened, that the main-yard fell down, and but narrowly missed
striking two children, who with a third were sitting and playing
together. They must inevitably have lost their lives, had it fallen upon
them. We praised God for their preservation during the whole voyage. By
the above-mentioned disaster, we were obliged to run into a small cove,
where we repaired the mast with all speed, and proceeded with a gentle
wind towards Nachvak. A calm ensued, and as there is no anchorage
between Nullatartok and Nachvak, we rowed all night, and felt the
advantage of the great length of days, at this season of the year.

16th. The view we had of the magnificent mountains of Nachvak,
especially about sun-rise, afforded us and our Esquimaux great
gratification. Their south-east extremity much resembles Saddle island
near Okkak, being high, steep, and of singular shape. These mountains in
general are not unlike those of Kaumayok for picturesque outline. In one
place, tremendous precipices form a vast amphitheatre, surmounted by a
ledge of green sod, which seemed to be the resort of an immense number
of sea-gulls and other fowls, never interrupted by the intrusion of man.
They flew with loud screams backwards and forwards over our heads, as if
to warn off such unwelcome visitors. In another place, a narrow chasm
opens into the mountain, widening into a lagoon, the surrounding rocks
resembling the ruins of a large Gothic building, with the green ocean
for its pavement, and the sky for its dome. The weather being fine, and
the sun cheering us with his bright rays, after a cold and sleepless