of the whole affair, and with the
importance of his mission, the young Eskimo went off to the village,
dragging his seal behind him, and wondering what new discovery had been
made by his mysterious patron.

That something of unusual import had occurred he never doubted, for
although he had often seen Ujarak, with unbounded admiration, wriggle
out of unfulfilled prophecy like an eel, he had never seen him give way
to demonstrations such as we have described without something real and
surprising turning up ere long.

Strong in this faith, he ran into the large hut where a considerable
party of his tribe were feasting on a recently captured walrus, and told
them that something tremendous, something marrow-thrilling, had occurred
to the great angekok Ujarak, who, before leaving the village, had told
him that he was going off to find a--a--something--he knew not exactly
what--with rings of hair all over its body, pale as the ice-floe, more
wonderful than the streaming lights--incomprehensible!--immense!

At this point he glared, and became dumb. Not knowing well what to say
next, he judiciously remained silent, then sat down and gasped, while
the united company exclaimed "Huk!" with unusual emphasis.

The consultation which Ujarak had with his torngak was somewhat
peculiar. It consisted chiefly in a wild run at full speed out upon the
floes. Having pretty well exhausted himself by this device, and brought
on profuse perspiration, he turned homewards. Drawing near to the
village, he flung back his hood, ran his fingers through his long black
hair until it was wildly dishevelled, then, springing suddenly into the
midst of the festive party, he overturned feasters right and left, as he
made his way to the part of the edifice furthest from the door.

A close observer might have noted, however, that there was method in his
madness, for he overturned only women and children, and kept carefully
clear of men--at least of such men as he knew would resent his
roughness.

Wheeling suddenly round, and facing the solemnised assembly, he
addressed it, as if with difficulty, in a low-toned, awesome voice.

CHAPTER FIVE.

PLOTS AND COUNTER-PLOTS ALREADY.

It is not necessary, neither would it be profitable, to give in full
detail what Ujarak said to the gaping crowd. Enough to know that, like
other statesmen, he made the most of his subject, and fully impressed
his audience with the belief that this first of Kablunets wh