The Walrus Hunters | Page 4

fire was
blazing under a convenient fir-tree, and the grey goose soon hissed
pleasantly in front of it. They were a quiet and self-contained couple,
however, and went about their work in profound silence. Not that they
lacked ideas or language--for each, being naturally a good linguist, had
somehow acquired a smattering of the other's tongue,--but they
resembled each other in their disinclination to talk without having
something particular to say, and in their inclination to quietness and
sobriety of demeanour.
Here, however, the resemblance ceased, for while the Eskimo was free
and easy, ready to learn and to sympathise, and quick to see and

appreciate a joke, the Indian was sternly conservative, much impressed
with his own rectitude of intention, as well as his capacity for action,
and absolutely devoid of the slightest tinge of humour. Thus the
Eskimo's expression varied somewhat with the nature of the subjects
which chased each other through his mind, while that of the red man
never changed from the calm of dignified immobility--except, of course,
when, as during the recent struggle, his life was in danger.
While the goose was roasting, the erstwhile foes sat down to watch the
process. They had not to watch long, for the fire was strong and neither
of them was particular. Indeed, the Eskimo would gladly have eaten his
portion raw, but waited patiently, out of deference to what he deemed
his companion's prejudices.
"You are alone?" said the Eskimo interrogatively.
"Yes--alone," returned the Indian.
To such men, this was mental food for at least a quarter of an hour. By
the end of that time one side of the bird was sufficiently done. The
Indian turned the stick on which it was impaled, drew his
scalping-knife, and commenced on the side that was ready while the
other side was being done. Cheenbuk drew his stone knife, cut a large
slice of the breast, and also fell to work. They ate vigorously, yet the
process was not soon over, for the goose was large and their appetites
were strong. Of course they had no time or inclination for conversation
during the meal. When it was finished, the grey goose was reduced to a
miserable skeleton. Then both men sighed the sigh of contentment,
wiped their knives on the grass, and looked gravely at each other.
Cheenbuk seemed as if about to speak, but was arrested in his intention
by the strange and unaccountable proceedings of his companion, who
now drew forth a gaily decorated bag which hung at his belt behind
him. From this he extracted a whitish implement with a little bowl at
one end, and having leisurely filled it with a brown substance, also
drawn from the bag, he put the other or small end of the instrument
between his teeth. Then he took up a burning stick and applied it to the
bowl.

The Eskimo had been gazing at him with ever-widening eyes, but at
this his mouth also began to open, and he gave vent to a gentle "ho!" of
unutterable surprise, for immediately there burst from the Indian's lips a
puff of smoke as if he had suddenly become a gun, or fire-spouter and
gone off unexpectedly.
There was profound interest as well as astonishment in the gaze of our
Eskimo, for he now became aware that he was about to witness a
remarkable custom of the red men, of which he had often heard, but
which he had never clearly understood.
"Does it not burn?" he asked in breathless curiosity.
"No," replied his friend.
"Do you like it? Hi--i!"
The exclamation was induced by the Indian, who at the moment sent a
stream of smoke from each nostril, shut his eyes as he did so, opened
his mouth, and otherwise exhibited symptoms of extreme felicity.
"Would you like to try it?" he asked after one or two more whiffs.
Cheenbuk accepted the offer and the pipe, drew a voluminous whiff
down into his lungs and exploded in a violent fit of coughing, while the
tears overflowed his eyes.
"Try again," said the Indian gravely.
For some minutes the Eskimo found it difficult to speak; then he
returned the pipe, saying, "No. My inside is not yet tough like yours. I
will look--and wonder!"
After being admired--with wonder--for a considerable time, the Indian
looked at his companion earnestly, again offered him the pipe, and said,
"Try again."
The obliging Eskimo tried again, but with the caution of a child who,
having been burnt, dreads the fire. He drew in a little smoke by means

of the power of inhalation and choked again slightly, but, being now on
his mettle, he resolved not to be beaten. The Indian regarded him
meanwhile with grave approval. Then it occurred to Cheenbuk to apply
the power of suction instead