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Updated: June 2, 2025
With much solemnity Okiok rejoined that he had no doubt of Ujarak's being aware that the man was a Kablunet. "And I am glad you have come," he added, "for of course you can also tell me where the Kablunet has come from, and whither he is going?"
Norrak handed his father the short-handled but heavy, long-lashed whip. Okiok looked at Norrak as he grasped the instrument of punishment. "Jump on," he said. Norrak did so with evident good-will. The whip flashed in the air with a serpentine swing, and went off like a pistol. The dogs yelled in alarm, and, springing away at full speed, were soon lost among the hummocks of the Arctic sea.
Seeing this, Rooney leaned forward, grasped the man's right hand, shook it warmly, patted it on the back, then, raising it to his lips, kissed it. Stupid indeed would the man have been, and unusually savage, who could have failed to understand that friendship and good-will lay in these actions. But Okiok was not stupid.
Then he went up to Kajo, who had been watching his movements with much curiosity, not quite unmingled with discomfort. "Go," he said, pointing to the kayak, "and lay yourself out in front, on your face." Kajo looked earnestly at the speaker. There was much less of the heroic in his gaze by that time, and therefore more of manly determination; but Okiok said "go" again. And Kajo went.
"That is a hard game," said the wife; "it makes even the young men blow like walruses." "Ay, and eat like whales," added the husband. "And sleep like seals," remarked Nunaga. "And snore like like Okioks," said Nuna. This was a hard hit, being founded on some degree of truth, and set Okiok off in a roar of laughter.
Not knowing what to say, he changed the subject by mentioning the object of his visit. At once Angut turned, and gave undivided attention to the subject, while the seaman described his recent conversation with Okiok. As he concluded, a peculiar look flitted across Angut's countenance. "I guess his reason," he said. "Yes; what may it be, think you?" "He fears to meet Okiok in a singing duel."
"I'm not sure of that," returned the Eskimo, with a somewhat dogged and perplexed look, that showed the subject was not quite new to him. "I never saw, or heard, or tasted, or smelt, or felt a spirit. How can I know anything about it?" "Do you believe in your own spirit, Okiok?" "Yes, I must. I cannot help it. I am like other men. When a man dies there is something gone out of him.
"Took no food? no sleigh? no dogs?" asked Okiok in surprise. "No. When it is a man's duty to obey, he must not think of small things. It is the business of a wise man to do or to die."
Every man and boy who could handle a kayak took to the water with harpoon and lance. Ippegoo, Arbalik, Okiok, Simek, Norrak, and Ermigit were among them, in borrowed kayaks, and mad as the maddest with glee. Even Kajo joined them. He was as drunk as the proverbial fiddler, having obtained rum from the sailors, and much more solemn than an owl.
When the kayak was launched, he attempted to step into the little oval opening in it, but with so little success that Okiok, losing patience, lifted, him in, and crammed him down. Then he sent him afloat with a vigorous push.
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