In
fact, the seaman, besides being something of a mimic, possessed a
metallic bass voice of profound depth, which, like most bass voices, was
capable of mounting into the higher latitudes of tone by means of a
falsetto. He utilised his gifts on the present occasion.

"Ippegoo," he said solemnly and very slowly, "I am not your torngak. I
am an angekok, and as I chanced to be passing by your hut in my
wanderings, I stopped to hear. I have heard enough to be able to tell
you that you shall never be an angekok. Nor shall you ever have a
torngak. You do not need one. You are wise enough already, much wiser
than your master, who is no better than a miserable puffin. Is it not
the duty of one who would be an angekok to go away and live alone for
many days fasting, and praying, and meditating? Has not Ujarak advised
you to change the ancient customs? Pooh! he is a fool. You cannot
succeed now. All the spirits of water, earth, and air have been
insulted. This assembly must break up. You must leave off trying. You
may all be thankful that the ice does not burst up and crush you; that
the sky does not fall upon you; that the great sea does not roll its
maddest waves over you. Up, all of you--Begone!"

Rooney finished off with a roar so deep and fearsome that the very
rafters trembled. A pile of wood, stones, and earthenware, previously
prepared for the purpose, was tipped over, and fell with a most awful
crash. At the same moment the seaman culminated in a falsetto shriek
that might have shamed a steam whistle.

It was enough. Had the tunnel entrance of the hut been long and strong,
suffocation to many must have been the result, for they went into it
pell-mell, rolling rather than running. Fortunately, it was short and
weak. Ujarak and Simek, sticking in it, burst it up, and swept it away,
thus clearing the passage for the rest. The last to disappear was
Kunelik, whose tail flapped on the door-post like a small pistol-shot as
she doubled round it and scrambled out, leaving Rooney, Angut, Kannoa,
and Ippegoo to enjoy the situation.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A GREAT SINGING DUEL INTERRUPTED BY A CATASTROPHE.

When the lamps were rekindled by Kannoa, it was discovered that the old
lady's nostrils were twitching and her throat contracting in a
remarkable manner, with smothered laughter. Very different was the
condition of Ippegoo, who still lay bound in the middle of the room.
Fear and surprise in equal pro