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In the afternoon Ujarak returned from a visit, as he said, to the nether world, and with his brother wizards for there were several in the tribe confirmed the rumour. As evening approached, Rooney entered Okiok's hut. No one was at home except Nuna and Tumbler. The latter was playing, as usual, with his little friend Pussi. The goodwife was busy over the cooking-lamp.
"But there is no other way to travel than by the open lead, so we have decided to go on." "Of course you have," returned Rooney; "what else can we do? We must risk something to save Nunaga, Pussi, and Tumbler, to say nothing of Kabelaw. Get along, my hearties!" How Rooney translated the last phrase into Eskimo is a point on which we can throw no light, but no matter.
"So there is nothing left for us but to go on by water," said Angut, with decision. "Nunaga must be rescued." "And so must Tumbler," said Okiok. "And so must Pussi," said Simek. "What are you fellows consulting about?" shouted Red Rooney, coming up at that moment with the others in the oomiak. "We are talking of the danger of the ice breaking up," answered Angut.
"Tumbler saved Pussi!" exclaimed the Eskimo, looking first at his daughter and then at his wife. "Yes; Pussi was tumbling over an ice-cliff," said Nunaga, "and Tumbler held on to her." "By the tail," said Nuna. "So Ippegoo rushed out of the cave, and saved them both. Ujarak would have been too late. It seems strange to me that his torngak did not warn him in time."
As she spoke she seized the heavy Eskimo whip out of Nunaga's hand, and brought it smartly down on the backs of the whole team, which started off with a yelp, and also with a bound that well-nigh left Tumbler and Pussi behind. But she was not quick enough for Ujarak, who exclaimed with a laugh, as he leaped on to the sledge and assumed the place of driver
At this point the description of Rooney's person and characteristics was interrupted by a tremendous splash. It was poor Pussi, who, having grown wearied of the conversation, had slipped from her mother's side, and while wandering in the background had tumbled into the oil-tub, from which she quickly emerged gasping, gazing, and glittering.
He also gave them permission to help themselves, but as there was no lamp or fire, it was evident that he meant them to eat their supper raw. Leaving them while thus engaged, he walked away out of sight. "I won't have raw seal," said Tumbler, in that tone of petulant resolve which tells of spoilt-childism. "An' me won't too," said Pussi, profiting by example.
They were too much engrossed with "metal more attractive," in the shape of bear blubber; but when appetite began to fail conversation began to flow. At that point it occurred to Pussi and Tumbler that they would go and have some fun. Child-nature is much the same all the world over and curiously enough, it bears strong resemblance to adult nature.
Little Pussi was so horrified at the reckless presumption of the remark, that she hid her face in Nunaga's lap and did not venture to look up for some time. Getting on the sledge without another word, the wizard gave a hint to the dogs which was so unmistakable that they sprang up and resumed their journey at full gallop.
In this operation she was gleefully assisted by little Tumbler and Pussi, who, having recovered from their horror when the bear fell dead, seemed to think that all succeeding acts were part of a play got up for their special amusement. When the surgical work was done, Nunaga again turned her attention to Kabelaw.
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