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"Lead us to what you like; you have brains," returned the man who had previously said "boo!" "We know not what is best, but we can trust you." Again the approval was unanimous. "Well, then, I accept the command until my chief's health is restored," said Teyma, rising. "Now, the council is at an end. To your huts, warriors, and get your spears ready; and to your lamps, girls.
"May it not be that Leo has influenced them peacefully, my father?" suggested Chingatok. "Not so, my son," said the chief savagely. "Grabantak was always sly as a white fox, fierce as a walrus, mean as a wolf, greedy as a black gull, contemptible as " The catalogue of Grabantak's vices was cut short by the voice of Teyma coming loud and strong over the sea.
He was a fearless outspoken counsellor, and not only sought to advance the pacific views he held, by talking to the men of his own party in private, but even propounded them in public to Grabantak himself, who, however, could not be moved, though many of his men quietly changed sides. With all this Teyma was loyal to his chief. Whatever he did was in the way of fair and open argument.
You see, Anders, we are now on very friendly terms with this tribe, and it seems to me that if we were to remain for a time and increase our influence, we might induce Grabantak to give up this war on which he seems to have set his heart. I have great hopes of doing something with Teyma. He is evidently a reasonable fellow, and has much power, I think, with the chief indeed with every one.
"Boo!" exclaimed one of the warriors, with a look of ineffable contempt, "Koyatuk is big enough, but he is brainless. He can bluster and look fierce like the walrus, but he has only the wisdom of an infant puffin. No, we will be led by Teyma."
They were hospitably entertained, and as Oblooria had by that time prepared a savoury mess, such as she knew the white men loved, the chief and Teyma condescended to sup with their captive-guests.
It will not do to let the ancient belief die down, that one Flatlander is equal to three men of Poloe, or any other land." "The Poloe men laugh in their boots when they hear us boast in this way," said Teyma gently.
Of course Leo was willing and happy to give him all the information he desired, and, in doing so, found a new and deep source of pleasure. Teyma was not the man to hide his light under a bushel.
"What! would you not have me defend the Flatland name?" demanded Grabantak, fiercely. "No, I would have you defend only the Flatland property," replied the blunt minister. "And is not Puiroe my property?" growled Grabantak, referring to the barren rock which was the cause of war. "So is that your property," said Teyma, picking up a stone, "and yet I treat it thus!"
What! shall Flatlanders become slaves? no never, never, never!" cried Grabantak, furiously, though unconsciously quoting the chorus of a well-known song. "No, never," re-echoed Teyma with an emphatic nod, "yet there are many steps between fighting for a useless rock, and being made slaves."
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