United States or Trinidad and Tobago ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Although not an Eskimo oomiak, the little craft, which was made of wood, and resembled a punt, was propelled by oomiak paddles, so that Madame Okiok, who was appointed steerswoman, felt herself quite at home when seated in her place. Sigokow, being a powerful creature, physically as well as mentally, was put in charge of the bow-paddle.
Egede observed the keen gaze, though he judged it wise to take no notice of it at the time, but he did not fail to pray mentally that the good seed might take root. The attention of the party was called off the subject of discourse just then by a further movement of the pack-ice. "See, the lanes of open water widen," exclaimed Okiok eagerly, pointing seaward.
"Open your ears, Nuna. Okiok is no longer what he was. He has been born only to-day. He has at last seen with his two eyes a Kablunet!" He paused to restrain his excitement. His wife clasped her hands and looked at him excitedly, waiting for more. "This Kablunet," he continued, "is very white, and not so ruddy as we have been told they are. His hair is brown, and twists in little circles.
There was such an air of stern grandeur about Ujarak as he gave utterance to this high-flown sentiment, that a murmur of approval burst from his believers, who formed decidedly the greater part of the revellers, and Okiok hid his diminished head in the breast of his coat to conceal his laughter. "I had no food with me only my walrus spear and line," continued the wizard.
He was wildly cheered by the delighted crowd, and tried to punish Okiok; but his efforts were not very successful, for that worthy put both his mittened hands over his head, and, curling himself up like a hedgehog, lay invulnerable on the ice.
Among the latter was an oomiak full of women who went along-shore to fish, and with whom were old Kannoa, Nunaga, and others. They went in a northerly direction. Rooney, Angut, and Okiok proceeded along the coast to the southward.
Feeling still somewhat fatigued, Rooney settled himself among his furs in a more upright position, and gave his attention to the natives, who instantly removed their eyes from him, and resumed eating with a will. Of course they could not restrain furtive glances, but they had ceased to stare. In a few minutes Okiok paused, and in turn became the questioner.
There was a huk of approval at this explanation, which was given in a slightly exulting tone, and with a glance of mild defiance at Arbalik's mother. But Issek was not a woman to be put down easily by a simpleton. She at once returned to the charge. "No doubt Ippegoo is right," she said, with forced calmness, "but he has talked of a message to Okiok.
"I propose," said Okiok, whose naturally kind heart had been deeply stirred by the cowardly massacre which he had witnessed, "I propose that we should drown them." "No; drowning is far too good. Let us spear them," said Kajo, who had become sober by that time. "That would not hurt them," cried a fierce Eskimo, smiting his knee with his clenched fist.
Most Eskimo men deem one wife quite as much as they can manage to feed. Our friend Okiok was what we may style one of the aristocracy of the land. He did not, indeed, derive his position from inheritance, but from the circumstance of his being a successful hunter, a splendid canoe-man, and a tremendous fighter.
Word Of The Day