rngak had told him of the arrival of the
Kablunet--an assertion which they would believe all the more readily
that he had left home with some mysterious statements that something
wonderful was likely to be discovered. In truth, this astute wizard
never failed to leave some such prediction behind him every time he
quitted home, so as to prepare the people for whatever might occur; and,
should nothing occur, he could generally manage to colour some event or
incident with sufficient importance to make it fulfil the prediction, at
least in some degree.

When at last he rose to depart, Ujarak turned to Nunaga. As her father
had rightly guessed, the wizard, who was quite a young man, had come
there on matrimonial views intent; and he was not the man to leave the
main purpose of his journey unattempted.

"Nunaga," he said, in a comparatively low yet sufficiently audible
voice, "my sledge is large. It is too large for one--"

He was interrupted suddenly at this point by Rooney, who saw at once
what was coming.

"Okiok," he said, "I want Nunaga to mend and patch my torn garments for
the next few days. Her mother has enough to do with cooking and looking
after the house. Can you spare her for that work?"

Yes, Okiok could spare her; and was very glad to do all that he could to
accommodate the foreigner.

"Will Ujarak carry a message from the Kablunet to his village?" asked
Rooney, turning to the wizard.

"He will," replied the latter somewhat sulkily.

"Does he know the angekok named Angut?"

It is doubtful whether anger or surprise was most strongly expressed in
the countenance of the Eskimo as he replied sternly, "Yes."

"Then tell him that the Kablunet will stay in his hut when he visits
your village."

Having delivered this message, he turned his face to the wall, and,
without awaiting a reply, coolly went to sleep, or appeared to do so,
while Ujarak went off, with a storm of very mingled feelings harrowing
his savage breast.

When he was gone Red Rooney raised himself on one elbow, and looked over
his shoulder at Okiok with a broad grin. Okiok, who felt grave enough
at the moment, and somewhat perplexed, opened his eyes gradually, and
reciprocated the smile with interest. By degrees he closed the eyes,
and allowed the smile to develop into a high falsetto chuckle which
convulsed his broad hairy shoulders for full five minutes.

From that hour Okiok and the Kablunet were united! They understood each
o