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"So, then, man-of-the-woods," said Cheenbuk at last, "you are the father who has lost his daughter?"
On the second night, as the Eskimos sat in their igloe at supper talking over the events of the day, Nazinred asked Cheenbuk what he intended to do "For," said he, "it is not possible to take back with us on one sledge more than a small part of the many good things that we have found." "The man-of-the-woods is right," interposed the magician; "he is wise. One sledge cannot carry much.
They were gravely debating this point in front of the snow stores, when Ondikik came up and asked when it was likely that a start would be made for home, as he styled their old winter village. "Go and ask Mangivik. When he gives the order I'm ready," said Cheenbuk.
He did not however forsake his people, but frequently visited old Mangivik and his mother at Waruskeek, and the old folk sometimes returned the visit by spending a few months on the banks of the Ukon River. Anteek also elected to stay with the men-of-the-woods, being unable to forsake Cheenbuk, and of course young Uleeta remained with him.
Cheenbuk paused here and looked round, because he knew that he was treading on somewhat new and delicate ground in thus asserting a principle of right; and he was not mistaken, for, while the most of his audience remained silent, several of them expressed dissent.
"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."
Cowlik had barely succeeded in pulling the ear-pieces of the sou'-wester well down, and tying the strings under her fat chin, when a tremendous clanking was heard, as of some heavy creature approaching the cabin door. Cheenbuk dropped forward the point of his spear, and Nazinred kept his gun handy.
While thus engaged he saw with some anxiety that Gartok had become deadly pale, and his compressed lips gave the impression that he was suffering much. "Come here," said Cheenbuk to the boy quickly; "rub his hands and make them warm." The boy obeyed with alacrity, while the other, hastening his movements, began to skin the bear.
While thus engaged Anteek observed that Cheenbuk gazed for a few moments intently into the Indian's face, and then became much and strangely excited. "Is he going to die?" asked the boy anxiously. "No, it is not that but but, I have seen this Fire-spouter before. I know him! Quick, we must save his life!"
We women are very glad of that, for the fire-water makes our men mad and wish to fight. Tee, when we take too much of it which we always do only makes us sick." "Strange," said Cheenbuk, with a look of profundity worthy of Solomon, "that your people should be so fond of smokes and drinks that make them sick and mad when they have so much of the sparkling water that makes us comfortable!"
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