it for some moments before continuing his remarks; "but--but--ha!
he does not quite see through an iceberg. I will--(Give me another,
Nootka, with more fat on it),--I will go back, as he wisely advises,
with as much as the sledge will carry, and will return not only with
four or five sledges, but with all the sledges we have got, and all the
dogs, and all the men and women and children--even to the smallest babe
that wears no clothes and lives in its mother's hood, and sucks blubber.
The whole tribe shall come here and live here, and make use of the good
things that have fallen in our way, till the time of open water draws
near. Then we will drive to the place where we have left our kayaks and
oomiaks, some of us will go to Waruskeek, and some to pay a visit to the
Fire-spouters at Whale River.--Give me another lump, Nootka. The last
was a little one, and I am hungry."

The grandeur of Cheenbuk's plan, as compared with Aglootook's
suggestion, was so great that the poor magician collapsed.

Anteek looked at him. Then he covered his young face with his hands and
bent his head forward upon his knees. It was too early for going to
rest. The boy might have been sleeping, but there was a slight heaving
of the young shoulders which was not suggestive of repose.

Later on in the evening, while Nazinred was enjoying his pipe, and the
Eskimos were looking on in unspeakable admiration, Cheenbuk remembered
that the last time he quitted the ship he had left his spear behind him.

"I'll go and fetch it," said Anteek, who possessed that amiable and
utterly delightful nature which offers to oblige, or do a service,
without waiting to be asked. In a few minutes he was out upon the ice
on his errand. Soon he gained the snow staircase, and, running up, made
his way to the cabin where the spear had been left.

Now it chanced that a polar bear, attracted perhaps by the odour of
cooked food, had wandered near to the ship and observed the young Eskimo
ascend. Polar bears are not timid. On the contrary, they are usually
full of courage. They are also full of curiosity. The night was clear,
and when that bear saw the youth go up the stair, it immediately went to
the place to inspect it. Courage and caution are not necessarily
antagonistic. On arriving at the foot of the stair it paused to paw and
otherwise examine it. Then it began to ascend slowly, as if doubtful of
consequences.

Now, if it were not for coincidences a gre