hich a moment before had begun apparently to curdle, now
seemed turned into liquid fire; and when the snout again entered and
touched his own, he could contain himself no longer, but gave vent to a
yell, which caused the startled bear to draw sharply back in alarm.
Probably it had never heard a yell through the medium of its nose
before, and every one must know how strong is the influence of a new
sensation. For some minutes the monster stood in silent contemplation
of the mysterious hole. Rooney of course lay perfectly still. The
success of his involuntary explosion encouraged hope.

What the bear might have done next we cannot tell, for at that moment a
shout was heard. It was followed by what seemed a succession of pistol
shots and the howling of dogs. It was the arrival of Okiok on the scene
with his sledge and team.

Never was an arrival more opportune. The bear looked round with a
distinct expression of indignation on his countenance. Possibly the
voice of Okiok was familiar to him. It may be that relations or friends
of that bear had mysteriously disappeared after the sounding of that
voice. Perhaps the animal in whose skin Rooney was encased had been a
brother. At all events, the increasing hullabaloo of the approaching
Eskimo had the effect of intimidating the animal, for it retired
quickly, though with evident sulkiness, from the scene.

A few seconds more, and Okiok dashed up, leaped from his vehicle, left
the panting team to the control of Norrak, and ran eagerly to the
prostrate figure. Unwrapping the head so as to set it free, the Eskimo
saw with intense satisfaction that the Kablunet was still alive. He
called at once to Norrak, who fetched from the sledge a platter made of
a seal's shoulder-blade, on which was a mass of cooked food. This he
presented to the starving man, who, with a look of intense gratitude,
but with no words, eagerly ate it up. The Eskimo and his son meanwhile
stood looking at him with an expression of mingled interest, awe, and
surprise on their round faces.

When the meal was ended, Red Rooney, heaving a deep sigh of
satisfaction, said, "Thank God, and thank _you_, my friends!"

There was reason for the increase of surprise with which this was
received by the two natives, for this time the foreigner spoke to them
in their own language.

"Is the Kablunet a messenger from heaven," asked Okiok, with increased
solemnity, "that he speaks with the tongue of the Innuit?"