sly drank from bottles and joined in the
merry dances.

"Did I not call the walrus and seal from the sea--as none other? Have
I not lured the caribou from their hidden lair? Have I not enticed the
birds, the foxes, and the bear by my calls--as none other of the
tribes?"

In succession Ootah uttered imitations of the calls of the walrus
bulls, the female caribou, and cries of the various birds.

"Have I not held converse with the animals of the land, the birds of
the air, and shall I not one day perchance comb the hair of _Nerrvik_
in the sea!"

The drums beat more loudly; the dancers hopped and leaped. The chorus
replied:

"Thou lurest the walrus and seal from the sea, thou enticest the
caribou, _ahmingmah_ and birds unto thee! Thou hast learned the
language of nature, and the happy spirits are kind to thee! Marvellous
is thy power, Ootah."

And in the chorus, deep, hoarse, sneeringly ironical rang the words of
Maisanguaq:

"Marvellous is thy power, Ootah," and his low bitter laughter followed.

The white men began to sing as they danced with the chubby women. In
couples they rocked to and fro.

"Have I not killed of all the birds of the air, the animals of the land
and sea! Have I not observed the customs of the august dead? Have I
done aught to bring misfortune to the tribe?"

In spontaneous recognition of his pre-eminence the young men freely
yielded Annadoah. Only Maisanguaq felt bitter.

Ootah summoned his helpers and the sleds of blubber were drawn to the
immediate entrance of Annadoah's tent. He seemed to step upon air.
His heart bounded.

"Annadoah! Annadoah!" he called. "Ootah waits thee. Ootah hath
brought thee treasure from the depths of the sea. Strong is the arm
and brave is the heart of Ootah when the arm strikes and the heart
beats with the thought of thee."

Seeing him there, the natives ceased dancing. The white men, curious,
drew near the tent.

As he stood there, his head erect, proud, expectant, he became
conscious of a sudden ominous silence on the part of his companions.
Some distance away the women were whispering to one another, and above,
in the sky, circled a black guillemot.

"Annadoah," he softly called.

Only the hawk replied.

"Annadoah, I bring thee my love, as constant as my shadow! I bring
thee riches! Ootah would give thy couch new furs and caress thee."

From the brown, weather worn sealskin tent came the murmurous sound of
voices. Ootah hear