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Updated: June 19, 2025
Schneider, who had hitherto been silent, now cried to the enchantress to cease calling upon Torngak, who was an evil spirit, and reigned in darkness, and light the lamps again; but some one replied it was the custom of the country, and proposed they should conclude with a short song, in which all the company joined, after which they separated for their resting places before the lamps could be relighted.
When an angekok has sufficient courage to undertake this journey, his torngak, after giving him minute instructions how to act, conducts him under the earth or sea, passing on the way through the kingdom of those good souls who spend their lives in felicity and ease.
"If Ujarak's torngak was good and true, it would have told him of the deceit about to be practised on him, and would not have allowed him to submit to disgrace. If it did not care, it was a bad spirit. If it did not know, it was no better than a man, and not worth having so I don't want to have one, and am very glad I have escaped so well."
At this point he glared, and became dumb. Not knowing well what to say next, he judiciously remained silent, then sat down and gasped, while the united company exclaimed "Huk!" with unusual emphasis. The consultation which Ujarak had with his torngak was somewhat peculiar. It consisted chiefly in a wild run at full speed out upon the floes.
"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."
They assert that, on Torngarsuk appearing in answer to their earnest petition, they shriek aloud, and die from fear. At the end of three days they come to life again, and receive a torngak, who takes them forthwith on a journey to heaven and hell, after which they return home full-fledged angekoks, prepared to bless their fellows, and guide them with their counsels.
"Huk!" exclaimed Angut, by which exclamation you may be sure that he meant to express much satisfaction. "But," continued the wizard, "the Kablunet is ill. He is thin; he is weak. He wants rest. I have consulted with my torngak, who tells me he will get better soon if we do not trouble him."
"I knew you had a seal," said the angekok, pausing between bites, after the edge of his appetite had been taken off; "my torngak told me you had found one at last." "Did he tell you that I had also found a bear?" asked Okiok, with deeper simplicity than ever. The wizard, without raising his head, and stuffing his mouth full to prevent the power of speech, glanced keenly about the floor.
This, then, was the cause of their trouble. For the women to work with any part of the reindeer while the men were hunting seals was one of the greatest affronts that could be offered the Great Spirit. Torngak had been insulted and angered. He must be appeased and mollified at any cost. Tuavituk, the Angakok, it was decided, must do some conjuring.
Indeed, it was not usual for him to raise his voice in council, but as he had been the first to carry the important news, and was known to be an ardent admirer and pupil of Ujarak, he felt that he was bound to back his patron; and his arguments, though not cogent, prevailed. "Let us not doubt the wisdom of the angekok," he said. "His torngak speaks. It is our business to obey.
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