nd descend upon the walrus from the protection of the ridges of
crushed ice which always abound on these rafts of the arctic sea.

While he retarded the kayak and played with his paddle, Ootah became
conscious of disquieting things in the world about him.

In the heavens he saw low lying clouds moving slowly southward. Higher
above, clouds moved more swiftly in another direction.

"The _quilanialeqisut_ (air spirits) are not at rest," murmured Ootah.
"O spirits of the air, what disturbs your ease?"

The clouds in the higher ether circled as if in an eddy of wind.
Certainly the spirits were not at peace among themselves.

"Spirits of the air," spake Ootah, "waft your caresses to Annadoah's
cheeks. Tell her Ootah waits to kill the walrus, that Ootah loves her
and would make Annadoah his wife--_neuilacto_ Annadoah; tell Annadoah
Ootah presses his nose to hers and calls her _Mamacadosa_ (of all
things that which tastes the most delightful)."

A gust swept the clouds from the zenith. Still no breath of air
touched the sea.

To the lee a group of small icebergs passed. They rocked and eddied,
and from their glacial sides the light poured in changing colors.

"O spirit of the light, carry thy bright message to the eyes of
Annadoah, tell her Ootah has loved her for many, many moons."

The bergs crashed into one another, and in the impact sank into the sea.

Ootah bit his lips. A vague misgiving was cold within his heart.

A flock of gulls passed low over the waters.

He called to them--that they should take his love to Annadoah. They
were to tell Annadoah that he would soon return, laden with food and
fuel for the winter. Their raucous cries mocked him. He demanded what
they meant. "Ootah--Ootah," they seemed to call, "how foolish art
thou, Ootah, how foolish art thou to love Annadoah. For fickle is
Annadoah--fickle, fickle the heart of the maiden Annadoah!"

Ootah shrieked an enraged defiance. His eyes sought the horizon.
_Kokoyah_, the sea god, was breathing deeply, and in the mists which
rose like fire-shot smoke before the sun, singular forms took shape.
Ootah saw the magnified shadows of great dogs. They seemed to be
dashing along the horizon. Then, with crushing strides, behind the
adumbration a great sled, a titan figure gathered substance in the
clouds. It moved with terrific speed; it dominated the sky. Its dress
was not that of the northern tribes. Ootah felt a resentful stirring,
as, loo