tions have tried their courage and their strength. But such matters
should only be discussed by foolish boys, not by men. Yet I cannot help
confessing that it is a very common thing among our young braves to
boast. Is it so among the Eskimos?"

The Eskimo laughed outright at this.

"Yes," said he, "our young men sometimes do that--some of them; but not
all. We have a few young men among us who know how to hold their
tongues and when to speak."

"That is useful knowledge. Will my son speak now, and tell me what he
knows about Adolay?"

"He knows that she is well spoken of, and much loved by the tribe with
which she lives."

"That is natural," said the Indian, with a pleased look. "No one who
sees Adolay can help loving her. Does the young man who took her away
treat her kindly?"

"No one can tell that but herself. What if he treated her ill?"

"I would hope never to meet with him face to face," replied Nazinred,
with a frown and a nervous clenching of the fist that spoke volumes.

"I have heard," continued Cheenbuk in a quiet way, "that the girl is
very sad. She thinks much of her old home, and blames herself for
having left it."

"Good," said the Indian emphatically. "That is like the child, to be
sorry when she has done wrong."

"And I have heard that the young man who took her away is very fond of
her--so fond that he will do whatever she likes to please her. His name
is Cheenbuk. She asked him to take her home again, and he has promised
to do so when the hot sun and the open water come back."

"Good. The young man must be a good man. Will he keep his promise?"

"Yes. I know him well. He loves truth, and he will do what he says."

"It is a long time till the open water comes. Will the young Eskimo's
mind not change?"

"Cheenbuk's mind will not change. He loves Adolay better than himself."

Nazinred pondered this statement for some time in silence, caressing the
sleek head of Attim as he did so.

"Will this young man, this Cheenbuk, be willing, do you think, to leave
her in the lodges of her people and give her up altogether?" he asked,
with a somewhat doubtful look.

"If Adolay wishes to be given up, he will," replied the Eskimo
confidently.

"And you know him well?"

"Very well. No one knows him better."

Again the Indian was silent for some time. Then he spoke in a low tone:

"My son has made glad the heart of the man-of-the-woods. When we met by
the river and strove t