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Updated: June 10, 2025
Without more ado the trio sat down beside the cooking-lamp and began to do justice to the savoury viands, the odour of which was so enticing that it was too much for the dogs of the family. These had to be expelled by means of old bones. Mrs Mangivik being an expert shot with such artillery, the hall was soon cleared.
So saying he began to move as if in a funeral procession, closely followed by Cheenbuk, Oolalik, and old Mangivik. As they reached the head of the staircase something like an explosion occurred, for the deck was partially burst up by the heat. The three Eskimos, who did not think their dignity affected by haste, leaped down the stair in two bounds, but Nazinred did not alter his walk in the least.
"Perhaps Nootka took it to her sleeping-place to keep it safe," suggested old Mangivik. No; Nootka had seen nothing of it, and Nootka was not a little annoyed when, in spite of her assertion, a search was made in her boudoir, and not a little triumphant when the search proved fruitless.
"Your wife?" asked Mrs Mangivik, with an anxious look. "No, not my wife," replied the youth, with a laugh. "Take her to our hut, you and Nootka, while I go and speak with the men. She saved my life, father," he added, turning to Mangivik, "be good to her." On hearing this, Nootka and her mother took the girl affectionately by both hands and led her away.
On the day, or rather the night, of his arrival he was allowed quietly to eat his supper in the igloe of Mangivik, and go to sleep in peace, but next morning there was a crowding of relatives and friends into the hut, which rendered the meal of breakfast not quite so pleasant as it might have been, for the Indian, having been accustomed all his life to the comparatively open wigwam, did not relish the stifling atmosphere of the densely crowded snow-hut.
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.
As the hut was sufficiently large, he invited all the dogs to sup with him an invitation which, it is needless to say, they gladly accepted and we may add that the humble-minded Attim was not jealous. The hut of which Nazinred thus took possession was that which belonged to old Mangivik.
Even old Mangivik so far forgot the dignity of his advanced age as to extend his right toe, when Anteek was rushing past, and trip up that volatile youth, causing him to plunge headlong into a bush which happened to grow handy for his reception. Nazinred alone maintained his dignity, but so far condescended to harmonise with the prevailing spirit as to smile now and then.
Every one else, including dogs and bairns, with the exception of Mrs Mangivik who, being as it were petrified with consternation, remained absolutely immovable fled for shelter behind the igloes, leaving Nazinred, Adolay, Cheenbuk and Anteek in possession of the field.
Cheenbuk would have offered a seat to Adolay, but her father thought it better to decline for her. She was therefore left in the camp in care of old Mangivik and his amiable spouse. Travelling by dog-sledge among the Eskimos is rapid and exhilarating when the ice is unbroken.
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