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"This day," continued Angut, "I saw a band of Kablunet sailors " He got no further than that, for Grimlek attempted to spring up. The heavy hand of Angut, however, crushed him back instantly, and a spear-point touched his throat. "Down with the villains!" shouted Rooney, laying the grasp of a vice on the neck of the man next to him, and hurling him to the ground.
The runners, happening to descend to the coast on the opposite side of a ridge from Rooney and his companions, just missed meeting them, and returned to their comrades shortly after the massacre. Grimlek knew that whatever course he should pursue must be prompt and decisive.
"Jesus," he said, "saves from all sin. But," he turned his eyes here full on Grimlek "He does not save in sin. Murder foul and wicked murder has been done!" Grimlek grew pale, but did not otherwise betray himself. Reference to murder was no uncommon thing among his countrymen. He did not yet feel sure that Angut referred to the deed which he had so recently perpetrated.
Will you and your men sit down and listen?" For a few moments Grimlek did not reply. Then he said, "You are not an Eskimo?" "No, I am a Kablunet," replied Egede; "I have been sent to tell the Eskimos about the true God." Again the robber chief was silent. Then he said that he would consult with his men, and retired with them a short distance to do so.
Considering the energy with which he had denounced the murders, and the vigour with which he had captured Grimlek, Angut's proposal was somewhat surprising. "Truly, that is so," answered Egede. "If I were very wicked," continued Angut, "and had done many evil deeds, I should like to be forgiven and set free; therefore, let us forgive these men, and set them free."
Hold them down, and wait for orders." No more was said. Rooney felt that delay might be fatal. With the promptitude of men accustomed to be led, the youths crept into the circle of listeners, and seated themselves as desired. Rooney and Okiok selected their men, like the rest. Angut chanced to place himself beside Grimlek.
Knowing that it would be useless, they sat still and the other women laughed. At the success of his little device the robber-lieutenant of Grimlek chuckled quietly, as he crouched behind that bush. When Nunaga laid her hand on the gaudy bait he sprang up, grasped her round the waist, and bore her off into the bushes. At the same moment the rest of the band made a rush at the oomiak.
A murmur of assent was all that the band returned to this speech, and Grimlek, returning to the missionary, said that he and his men were ready to hear. In a few minutes each of the assassins was seated on the ground beside his chosen victim. The meeting which had been thus strangely invaded was no ordinary prayer or missionary meeting.
In fact, the camp might have been seen from the spot where the massacre had been perpetrated, but for a high promontory which concealed it. On rounding this promontory, the party detailed to pursue the women glided into the bushes and disappeared. Grimlek, with the remaining men, advanced straight and openly towards the camp.
He was about to open his lips, when, to his astonishment, a tall strong man who had been sitting near the outside circle of the audience close to the robber chief Grimlek started to his feet, and, in a tone that had in it more of a demand than a request, asked permission to speak. It was our friend Angut.