The Walrus Hunters | Page 9

cliffs a good height to sun
themselves on the warm rocks, I had never seen one climb so high as
that.
"Well, I drew back very quick, and began to creep round so as to come
at him when he didn't expect me. I soon got close enough, and ran at
him. He tried to flop away at first, but when I was close he turned and
looked fierce--terrible fierce! My heart jumped, but it did not sink. I
aimed for his heart, but just as I was close at him my foot struck a stone
and I fell. He gave a frightful roar, and I rolled out of his way, and
something twisted the spear out of my hand. When I jumped up, what
do you think? I found the spear had gone into one of his eyes, and that
made the other one water, I suppose, for he was twisting his head about,
but couldn't see me. So I caught hold of the spear, pulled it out, and
plunged it into his side; but I had not reached the heart, for he turned
and made for the sea.
"There was a steep place just there, and he tumbled and rolled down. I
lost my foothold and rolled down too--almost into his flippers, but I
caught hold of a rock. He got hold at the same time with his tusks and
held on. Then I jumped up and gave him the spear again. This time I hit
the life, and soon had him killed. There!"
On concluding his narrative the excited lad applied himself to his yet
untasted piece of blubber, and Nootka plied him with questions, while
Oolalik rose and went off to assist his comrades, whose voices could
now be heard as they shouted to the women and children of the colony
to come and help them to carry up the meat.
CHAPTER THREE.

PEACE OR WAR--WHICH?
Soon afterwards the Mangivik family received another visitor. This was
the bellicose Gartok himself, whose heart had been touched by the fair
Nootka.
Like his rival, he sat down opposite the maiden, and stared at her
impressively across the cooking-lamp. This would seem to be the usual
mode of courtship among those children of the ice; but the girl's mode
of receiving the attentions of the second lover varied considerably. She
did not drop her eyes shyly under his gaze, but stared him full in the
face by way of a slight rebuff. Neither did she prepare for him a
savoury rib, so that he was obliged to help himself--which he did with
much coolness, for the laws of hospitality in Eskimo-land admit of such
conduct.
After some desultory conversation between Gartok and his host, the
latter asked if it was true that there was a talk of the tribe paying a visit
to Whale River.
"Yes, it is true," answered the young man. "I came to see you about that
very thing, and to tell you that there is to be a meeting outside the big
hut to-day. We shall want your advice."
"Why do the young men wish to go there?" asked Mangivik.
"To get food, and wood for our spear-handles and sledges, and berries,
and to have a good time. Perhaps also to fight a little with the
Fire-spouters."
The youth glanced furtively at Mangivik as he concluded.
"To get food, and wood, and berries is good," observed the old man;
"but why fight with the Fire-spouters? We cannot conquer them."
"You can ask that at the meeting. It is useless to ask it of me."
"Good, I will do so. For my part, I am too old to go on long expeditions,

either to hunt or fight--but I can give advice. Is Cheenbuk to be at the
meeting?"
"Did you not know? Cheenbuk has already gone to the Whale River.
We only propose to follow him. He may not like our business, but he'll
have to join us when we are there."
Having picked his rib clean, and receiving no encouragement from
Nootka to remain, Gartok rose and departed.
That afternoon there was a large meeting of the heads of families in
front of what was known as the big hut. There was no formality about
the meeting. Unlike the war councils of the Indians, it was a sort of
free-and-easy, in which blubber and other choice kinds of food did duty
for the red man's pipe. The women, too, were allowed to sit around and
listen--but not to speak--while the hunters discussed their plans.
Gartok, being the biggest, most forward, and presumptuous among
them all, was allowed to speak first--though this was contrary to the
wishes, and even the custom, of the tribe. He did not make a set speech.
Indeed, no one thought of delivering an