e lifted the floe on
which they clung high on its crest and tossed it southward. As it rose
on the surging breakers Ootah felt the dread presence of _Perdlugssuaq_
ready to strike. Each time they made swift, sickening descents in the
seething troughs he felt all consciousness pass away. On all sides the
waves hissed. Torrents of water swept over the floe. Ootah felt his
limbs freezing; he felt his arms becoming numb. He feared that at any
moment he should lose his grip and be swept into the raging sea. Then
he thought of Annadoah and conjured new courage. For a while the dogs
whined--then they became silent. One already was drowned. Ootah bent
over Annadoah to protect her from the mountainous onslaughts of icy
water. His teeth chattered--he suffered agonies. For a long black
hour of horror they were driven over the thundering seas and through a
frigid whirlwind of snow, sharp as flakes of steel.

The recoiling impetus of the waters gradually increased under them.
Ootah knew this indicated an approach to land. The waves came in
shorter, but quicker swells. The floe bumped into others. Ootah
roused himself and hopefully turned toward Maisanguaq.

"We approach the land," he called. "We must bide our time--then jump."

The waves washed the floe toward the distant shore. Land ice steadily
thickened about them. Maisanguaq realized that they were actually
being carried to the sheltering harbor of the arm-like glacier south of
the village. Ootah quickly began unlashing Annadoah so as to be
prepared to seize her and spring, when the opportunity came, from cake
to cake, to safety.

Impelled by a warning instinct, Ootah suddenly looked up from his task,
and felt rather than saw Maisanguaq near and about to leap upon him.
Maisanguaq's eyes dimly glowered in the dark. Ootah rose quickly.
Maisanguaq drew back and uttered an exclamation of chagrin. Ootah
understood. With rescue possible, Maisanguaq had quickly come to a
desperate resolution.

The girl lay between them.

Ootah braced himself.

"I hate thee, Ootah," Maisanguaq shouted, no longer able to suppress
the baffled jealousy and seething envy endured quietly for many
seasons. He moved about, parleying for time and a chance to spring
upon Ootah when he was unguarded.

"I hate thee not, Maisanguaq," Ootah replied.

He steeled himself, for he knew Maisanguaq was strong, he knew the ice
was treacherous; he waited for the man to strike.

"My hear