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Nootka said nothing, but she seemed amused as well as pleased at the innovation. So were the children, for Oolalik was a prime favourite with young as well as old.
Foremost among these was the powerful and active Oolalik. On turning the point and seeing what had occurred he plunged into the sea and swam like a dolphin to the rescue. Great was the size of his eyes, and intense the swelling of his heart, when he saw that Nootka was one of the swimmers.
Cheenbuk and Oolalik, who were as quick to obey as to command perhaps quicker followed their leader's example. Others followed suit according to their respective natures and capacities. Anteek, bearing a mass nearly as big as himself, also dashed below in wild excitement. Some of the young men tumbled their burdens of snow down the smoking hole and went back for more.
He said no more, however, and before the conversation was resumed the voice of a boy was heard outside. "Anteek," murmured Nootka, with a smile of pleasure. "The other hunters must have arrived," said Oolalik, polishing off his last bone, "for Anteek was with them."
No game was thought complete without the co-operation of that robust Eskimo. So was Raventik, for the game of kick-ball suited his bold reckless nature to perfection, and there were none of the other players except himself capable of opposing Oolalik with any hope of success. Aglootook the magician also took part.
Still all was silent on board of the ship, and at last, coming to the conclusion that there was no living soul there at all, the Indian, having reloaded his gun, began to ascend the staircase, closely followed by Cheenbuk, Oolalik, Anteek, and Aglootook which last, being a cautious man, was careful to bring up the rear.
"Not every one who wishes it shall have a taste of this to-day. Only a great man of our tribe shall try it. Some one who has done great things above his fellows." He looked pointedly at Aglootook as he spoke, with solemnity on his face but mischief in his heart. Oolalik, however, with the reverse of mischief in his heart, interfered unwittingly with his designs.
The game had lasted for a considerable time, and the players were beginning to blow hard, when the ball, kicked by a surprisingly small boy in disproportionately big seal-skin boots, chanced to fall between Raventik and Oolalik. "Oh!" exclaimed Nootka to herself, with a gasp of hope. "Ho!" exclaimed Oolalik, with a shout of determination.
Every year Nootka found it quite impossible to exist without seeing her brother Cheenbuk in his own home, and having a satisfactory gossip with her dear friend Adolay. As Oolalik agreed with Nootka in all things, there was no difficulty in arranging the matter.
"I say," cried Oolalik, looking round with the air of a man who had much in his head, and meant to let it out, "I say that the man who fights if he can avoid it is a fool! Look back and think of the time gone away. Not many cold times have passed since our young men became puffed up indeed, some of our old men were little better and made a raid on the Fire-spouters of the Whale River.
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