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Updated: May 26, 2025
"About a month before you hired me at the trading post, I met Krasippe, now a very old man, and claiming some power as a prophet, or 'angekok, among his people; for, although Christianized, they have not thrown off many of their old superstitions. He took me in his arms and wept over me, and growled a bitter curse on the treachery of his old associate.
This furious savage, by strength, courage, and activity, had procured a commanding influence among his countrymen; who so highly dreaded him as a chief, and trembled at his supernatural powers as an Angekok, that his word was a law; and he had only to signify to them his pleasure as a revelation from Torngak, when it was instantly executed.
"But, Angut," said Rooney, growing somewhat weary at last, "you've asked me many questions; will you answer a few now?" "I will answer." "I have heard it said," began the sailor, "that Angut is a wise man an angekok among his people, but that he denies the fact. Why does he deny it?"
The Angekok promised to behave better, and begged Haven to repeat his assurance of friendship. Haven did so, and turning to the by-standers, said, "You hear his words; forgive him and love him, and if he ever again act wickedly, let me know." At Arimek, the Esquimaux thanked him for what he had spoken, and concluded by saying, "Though thou art not big, thou hast a great soul and a brave spirit."
"But if," said the pupil timidly, "I should only find out things that your torngak has already told you, what " He stopped short, for Ujarak, springing up, walked smartly away, leaving his follower behind to finish the question, and gather up the spears. "Yes; he is right. I am a fool," murmured Ippegoo. "Yet his conduct does seem strange. But he is an angekok. That must be the reason."
Indeed, it was not usual for him to raise his voice in council, but as he had been the first to carry the important news, and was known to be an ardent admirer and pupil of Ujarak, he felt that he was bound to back his patron; and his arguments, though not cogent, prevailed. "Let us not doubt the wisdom of the angekok," he said. "His torngak speaks. It is our business to obey.
"I am glad, then, that we have met," said Ippegoo, with a cringing motion not unlike a bow though of the ceremonial bow the Eskimos have no knowledge. "Yes, strange things have happened," continued the angekok, rolling his eyes impressively. "Did I not tell you before I started to visit Okiok that strange things would happen?"
Was it not something of a relapse, after the rigorous mental discipline of old, to have a man gravely assuring his fellows that he is the son of Hermes and the divinely appointed messenger of Apollo; treating diseases, like an Eskimo Angekok, by incantation; recording veracious incidents of his experiences during a previous life in Hell, which he seems to have explored almost as thoroughly as Swedenborg; dabbling in magic, and consulting dreams, birds and the smoke of incense as oracles?
Becoming suddenly serious, he asked if anything had been seen the day before of Ujarak the angekok. "Yes, he was in the village in the evening," replied Nuna as she arranged the food on platters. "He and Ippegoo were found in the green cave yesterday by the Kablunet. He was out about the ice-heaps, and came on them just as Tumbler saved Pussi, and Ippegoo saved them both."
Even an angekok may find a bit of good fat seal worth swallowing. Did you not set them free? You deserve a bit!" There was a spice of chaff as well as jollity in the big Eskimo's tone and manner; but he was such a gushing fellow, and withal so powerful, that the wizard deemed it wise not to take offence.
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