o had ever
visited these ice-bound regions had been mysteriously, yet irresistibly,
drawn there through his, Ujarak's, influence, with the assistance of his
torngak or familiar spirit.

One man there was in that assembly, however, who seemed to be not very
deeply touched by the wizard's eloquence. Yet he did not express
unbelief by his looks, but received all that was said with profound
gravity. This was Angut, the reputed angekok, to whom reference has
been made in a previous chapter.

Although a thorough Eskimo in dress and in cast of feature, there was a
refinement, a gravity, a kindliness, and a _something_ quite
indescribable about this man, which marked him out as an exceptional
character among his fellows. As we have said elsewhere, he was not
unusually large, though he was unusually strong, for his power lay
rather in a well-knit and splendidly proportioned than a bulky frame.
Ujarak was taller and broader, yet did not possess half his muscular
strength. Ujarak knew this, and had hitherto avoided coming into
collision with him. But there was also a moral strength and enthusiasm
in Angut, which placed him on a platform high above not only Ujarak, but
all the other men of his time and country. In short, he was one of
those far-seeing and thoughtful characters, who exist in all countries,
in all ranks and conditions of life, civilised and savage, and who are
sometimes styled "Nature's gentlemen."

Despite his surroundings, temptations, examples, trials, and worries,
Angut was at all times unvaryingly urbane, kind, sedate, equable,
obliging, honest, and self-sacrificing. It mattered not that other men
spoke freely--sometimes even a little boastfully--of their exploits.
Angut never did so of his, although no other man could hold a candle--
perhaps we should say a lamp--to him in the matter of daring. It
signified not that Eskimos in general were in the habit of treating
friendless widows and orphans ill, even robbing as well as neglecting
them, Angut always treated well those with whom he had to do. Other men
might neglect people in distress, but he helped and defended them; and
it was a matter of absolute indifference to him what "people" thought of
his conduct. There is a modified "Mrs Grundy" even in Eskimo land, but
Angut despised her. Indeed she was the only creature or thing in his
limited world that this good man did despise. He puzzled his countrymen
very much, for they could not understand him