an
expert; lifting it high to take a vigorous blow he would bring the back
down on his own head, and rush for aid.

[Illustration: MR. AND MRS. BILLY FISHTAIL]

He was very faithful, however, and nothing seemed to make him so happy
as to be doing what he thought would give me pleasure. Some one had
informed Billy that far away in the States, the singing on Sundays was
accompanied by an organ, so on the following Sunday Billy brought his
small accordion to church and tried to accompany the singers. He had
not practiced the tunes, and there seemed to be a difference between
the drums of his ears, for one would catch a tune one way while the
other gave a different interpretation. The accordion could not please
both ears, so it squeaked and wheezed out an air of its own.

At last a time came when it was evident that a change was coming over
Billy. He was growing more particular in his personal appearance, and
was even trying to learn how to whistle.

Just about the same time, rumor said that the widow Okpoktoah had been
seen running around the village trying to procure the loan of a cake of
soap. It looked very suspicious, but Billy would not admit anything. He
would simply hang his head and grin. Then the cook came one morning
with the information that Billy had been seen very late the previous
evening talking earnestly with the widow at her iglo.

Time has now rolled along and Billy is very happy for he owns the
widow, yet those gossiping neighbors will persist in saying that Billy
is not finding his nights quite as restful as formerly, for his little
daughter has a very imperative way of ordering him to take a walk
during those hours of the night when sleep seems the most refreshing.

XXIII

WRITING

To the uninitiated children of nature, the art of reading and writing
seemed at first as great a mystery as the electric current. How those
scrawls of black lines were words, that could be spoken just the same
as in conversation, was beyond their comprehension. At first, they
gathered around every time a letter was received and listened eagerly.
Then arose the desire for them to be able to make out those
intelligible scrawls that had a meaning.

One elderly woman seemed to feel slighted that she had not received a
letter; so going on board the whalers at anchor, she inquired if there
was not one for her. At last her heart was made glad by receiving a
mukpar[=a] (letter) which read as follows:--"Give this w