the after-effect on each
was wonderfully different. The blood rushed to Okiok's face like a
torrent. He clenched his hands and teeth, glared and stamped, and went
on like one deranged--as indeed for the moment he was. Angut, on the
other hand, was perfectly self-possessed and subdued, but his heaving
chest, quivering nostrils, compressed lips, and frowning brows told that
a volcano of emotion raged within.

Turning suddenly to Okiok, he seized him by both arms as if his hands
were vices.

"Listen," he said, with a sort of subdued intensity, that had the effect
of quieting his friend; "get out your sledge and dogs."

"All are ready," interposed Simek, eagerly.

Angut waited for no more, but, leaving his friends, ran off at full
speed towards the village. Okiok and Simek leaped on their respective
sledges and followed.

On arriving, it was found that most of the active men of the tribe were
already assembled, with dogs harnessed, provisions and hunting-gear
strapped down, and all ready for a journey of any length.

To these Angut gave directions in a tone and manner that deeply
impressed his friends. Not that he was loud or eager or violent; on the
contrary, he was unusually calm, but deadly pale, and with an air of
tremendous resolution about him that made the men listen intently and
obey with promptitude. In a very few minutes he had sent off one and
another in almost every direction, with instructions where to go, what
to do, and how and when to return, in the event of failure. Then he
leaped on his own sledge, and turned to Red Rooney, who was standing by.

"Ridroonee," he said, in a somewhat sad tone, "I go to find Nunaga. If
I succeed not, you will see me no more."

He held out his hand to take farewell in the Kablunet's fashion.

"What say you?" exclaimed Rooney, taken by surprise, "Nonsense! see you
no--Pooh!--hold on a bit."

He ran into his friend's hut, and quickly returned with his bear-skin
sleeping-bag and a small wallet which contained his little all.

"Now then," he cried, jumping on the sledge, "away you go as soon as you
like. I'm with 'ee, lad."

Angut shook his head.

"But the Kablunet is not yet strong enough to travel," said the Eskimo,
doubtfully.

"The Kablunet is strong enough to pitch you over his head; and he'll do
it too, if you don't drive on."

With another doubtful look and shake of the head, Angut seized his whip.
The dogs, knowing the signal well, sprang up. A