. Other men they could put
to shame, or laugh out of their ideas and plans, or frighten into
submission--at least into conformity. Not so Angut. He was immovable,
like an ancient iceberg; proof against threats, wheedling, cajoling,
terrifying, sarcasm--proof against everything but kindness. He could
not stand before that. He went down before it as bergs go down before
the summer sun.

Angut was shrewd also and profound of thought, insomuch that, mentally,
he stood high above his kinsfolk. He seemed to see through his fellows
as if their bosoms and brains had been made of glass, and all their
thoughts visible. Ujarak knew this also, and did not like it. But no
one suffered because of Angut's superior penetration, for he was too
amiable to hurt the feelings of a mosquito.

After all that we have said, the reader will perhaps be prepared to
expect that Angut never opened his mouth save to drop words of love and
wisdom. Not so. Angut was modest to excess. He doubted his own
wisdom; he suspected his own feelings; he felt a strong tendency to
defer to the opinion of others, and was prone rather to listen than to
speak. He was fond of a joke too, but seldom perpetrated one, and was
seldom severe.

While Ujarak was speaking, Angut listened with that look of unmoved
gravity with which he always met a new thing or idea, and which
effectually concealed his real feelings, though the concealment was
unintentional. But when at last the wizard came to the most distasteful
part of his discourse, namely the message from Reginald Rooney, that, on
the occasion of his visit to the camp, he would take up his abode with
Angut, that hero's countenance lighted up with surprise, not unmingled
with pleasure.

"Is Ujarak sure that the Kablunet said this?" asked Angut.

"Quite sure," replied the wizard.

"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."

At this point Ujarak glanced at Angut, but that worthy's countenance had
resumed its look of impenetrable gravity.

"We must not worry him or go near him for some days," continued the
wizard. "We must let him alone. And this will not try our patience,
for my torngak tells me that seals have come. Yesterday I went to the
house o