d, unexpected work of a lawgiver.

This duty devolved on him thus:

When Grabantak recovered health--which he was very long in doing--his
spirit was so far subdued that he agreed--somewhat sulkily, it is true--
to all that his prime minister had done while he held the reins of
government. Then he was induced to visit Great Isle, where he was
introduced to his mortal foe Amalatok, whom he found to be so much a man
after his own heart that he no longer sighed for the extraction of his
spinal marrow or the excision of his liver, but became a fast friend,
and was persuaded by Alf to agree to a perpetual peace. He also took a
great fancy to Chingatok, who begged of Alf to read to the chief of
Flatland some of the strange and new ideas contained in his little book.

Alf willingly complied, and for hours these northern savages sat in rapt
attention listening to the Bible story.

"My son," said Grabantak one evening to Chingatok, "if we are henceforth
to live in peace, why not unite and become one nation?"

"Why not?" echoed Chingatok.

When Amalatok and Makitok heard the question propounded, they also said,
"Why not?" and, as nobody objected, the thing was settled off-hand then
and there.

"But," said the prime minister of Flatland, starting a difficulty, "who
is to be _greatest_ chief?"

Amalatok, on whose mind the spirit of Christianity had been gradually
making an impression, said promptly, "Let Grabantak be chief. He is
wise in council and brave in war."

Grabantak had instantly jumped to the conclusion that _he_ ought to be
_greatest_ chief, and was about to say so, when Amalatok's humility
struck him dumb. Recovering himself he replied--

"But there is to be no mere war! and I have been a warrior. No, let
Amalatok be great chief. He is old, and wisdom lies with age."

"I am not so sure of _that_!" muttered Captain Vane to himself in
English; then to the giant in Eskimo, "What says Chingatok?"

"May I speak, my father?" said the giant, dutifully, to Amalatok.

"You may speak, my son."

"Then," continued Chingatok, "I would advise that there should be three
chiefs, who shall be equal--my father, Grabantak, and Makitok. Let
these consult about our affairs. Let the people appoint twelve men to
hold council with them, and what the most of them agree to shall be
done."

After some further talk this compromise was agreed to.

"But the laws of Poloeland and those of Flatland are different," said
Amala