CERL Thesaurus

On the 18th of July [1619], whilst lying hidden with the ship and the sloop behind an islet, we observed that there were people on the southern side of the harbour; wherefore, I at once had my boat manned, and went myself thither in it. When the natives who were there saw that I was coming on shore to them, they remained standing, having laid down behind some stones their arms and what other implements they had by them. When, now, I approached them, they returned whatever salutation I offered them in the same manner; but they were careful to keep between me and the place where their arms were laid. I also observed this place carefully, and, going there, took up their arms and implements in my hand and examined them; upon which, they at once made me understand that they would rather lose all their garments, and go naked than lose their arms and implements; and they pointed to their mouths, thereby signifying that it was by means of their arms and implements that they obtained their food. When I again laid down their arms and implements, they clapped their hands, looked up to heaven, and showed themselves very merry and joyful. Thereupon, I presented them with knives and all sorts of iron goods. Amongst other things, I gave one of them a looking glass, but he did not know what it was; wherefore, I took it from him and held it before his face, so that he could see himself. When he did so, he quickly took the looking glass from me and put it into his bosom. After this, they, in like manner, gave me presents of what they had: viz. different kinds of birds and seal-flesh. One of my men, who had very swarthy complexion, and black hair, they all embraced, no doubt thinking that he was one of their nation and countrymen. The appearance of this people, as well as of their arms and implements, is represented on the accompanying plate.

— Jens Munk, in: Gosch, Christian Carl August , ed. (in English) (1897) Danish Arctic Expeditions, 1605 to 1620. Book II The Expedition of Captain Jens Munk, London: Hakluyt Society, pp. 13–14