er him with drawn
scalping-knives, while Magadar put the muzzle of a gun to his head, he
deemed it wise to give in and uttered the exclamation "hoi!" with the
air of one who feels that his game is played out. He marched forward
after that in submissive silence.
On reaching the canoes, however, a fresh burst of indignation assailed
him, and for a moment he meditated sending his foot through the bottom
of the frail craft which was to carry him into exile, but on second
thoughts he decided to delay the performance of that violent measure
till they were well out in the middle of the current, when there would
be the chance of drowning some of his foes as well as himself. By the
time the desired position was reached, however, his spirit had calmed
down a little and his philosophic mind--to say nothing of his heart--had
begun to suggest the uselessness of gratifying his feelings by a revenge
which he probably could not enjoy much while in the process of drowning,
and, doubtless, could not enjoy at all after he was drowned.
Thus it came to pass that our hero restrained his passions, and, in
process of time, found himself a prisoner in one of the lodges of the
Dogrib Indians.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
IN THE HOUR OF NEED.
On reaching the Indian village Cheenbuk was firmly bound to a tree a
little way outside the camp, and left there to his meditations, while
his captors went to the old chief's tent to hold a council.
Meanwhile the women and children went to look at the captive. Among
them were Adolay and her mother. The moment the former set eyes on
Cheenbuk she recognised him as the youth who had rescued her mother from
drowning the previous year.
"Mother," she whispered, drawing her parent aside, "that is him! Don't
you remember him?"
"I think it is," returned Isquay, gazing steadily at the Eskimo, who
looked at the crowd which surrounded him with a gaze of supreme
contempt, though he did not by any means feel contemptuous.
"Come, mother," said Adolay, with sudden earnestness, "he has not
recognised us in the crowd. I must go and find out what the braves are
palavering."
As she spoke she drew her mother towards their own lodge, and there left
her while she hurried on to the council-tent. In the shelter of some
bushes she crept as near to it as possible.
There was no difficulty in making out what was said, for the warriors
made no secret of their intentions, and spoke in loud tones.
"He shall die," w
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