. Ootah knows not . . . It
was hard at times . . . I could hardly walk . . . the ice moved about
me . . . always . . . so--" He described a circle with his hand. "But
I bethought me of Annadoah--" he smiled--"and I said I go to
Annadoah . . . That is how I came . . . I said Annadoah is
hungry--yea, as I said it when the eyes looked at me on the mountains,
when the hill spirits made my heart grow cold, when Koolotah desired to
return . . . Koolotah--he hath gone . . . Koolotah's dogs are
gone . . . But I called upon my dead father, my dead grandfather, and
the older ones--and I thought of Annadoah." He leaned toward her
yearningly, his voice trembling. Fearfully the girl drew away. "It is
she who brought the _ahmingmah_ meat," he said. "It is she who led me
to the _ahmingmah_. Yea, she brings you the _ahmingmah_ meat. For the
thought of her brings Ootah back after the spirits strike . . . It is
she, who lives in the heart of Ootah, who has done all this . . . But
you are hungry. Come!"

He rose slowly and crept through the underground tunnel leading from
the igloo. The others followed. Without, most of the tribe were
waiting. At Ootah's command the men unlashed the sledge-load of meat,
and the division began. To Annadoah Ootah gave one-eighth of the load,
enough to last by frugal use for more than two moons, or months. Among
the others, of whom there were about twenty-five, the remainder was
proportionately divided. For himself Ootah reserved only as much as he
gave the others.

Outside Annadoah's igloo all engaged in a joyous revel. Hungrily they
feasted upon the raw meat. Then they beat drums and danced. Their
voices rose in hilarious chants. Wild joy shook them. Ootah was
acclaimed hero of the tribe. Although they have no chiefs, he was
accorded the honor of being the bravest and strongest among them. And
to the strongest and most heroic the last word in all things belongs.

Of all who were able to participate in the celebration, Maisanguaq
alone retired. From the seclusion of his igloo entrance he watched the
scene with rancor in his heart.

Over the northern skies the auroral lights played, lighting the scene
of spontaneous rejoicing with magical glory. Great silver coronas--or
rings of light--constantly arose in the north, passed to the zenith and
melted as they descended to the south. Luminous curtain-like films
closed and parted alternately like the veils of a Valhalla draw