kayaks, or canoes, with masts and sails,
instead of trees and wings. The burning mountain, however, remained an
unmodified mystery, which he was still inclined to disbelieve. But
these more correct views did not in the least abate Chingatok's eager
desire to behold, with his own eyes, the strange men from the unknown
south.

Eemerk formed one of the party who had volunteered to join Chingatok on
this journey. Not that Eemerk was influenced by large-minded views or a
thirst for knowledge, but he could not bear the thought that his rival
should have all the honour of going forth on a long journey of
exploration to the mysterious south, a journey which was sure to be full
of adventure, and the successful accomplishment of which would
unquestionably raise him very much in the estimation of his tribe.

Eemerk had volunteered to go, not as second in command, but as an
independent member of the party--a sort of free-lance. Chingatok did
not quite relish having Eemerk for a companion, but, being a
good-humoured, easy-going fellow, he made no objection to his going.
Eemerk took his wife with him. Chingatok took his mother and little
sister; also a young woman named Tekkona, who was his wife's sister.
These were the only females of the exploring party. Chingatok had left
his wife behind him, because she was not robust at that time; besides,
she was very small--as is usually the case with giants' wives--and he
was remarkably fond of her, and feared to expose her to severe fatigue
and danger.

The completed party of explorers numbered twenty souls, with their
respective bodies, some of which latter were large, some small, but all
strong and healthy. Four of the men were friends of Eemerk, whom he had
induced to join because he knew them to be kindred spirits who would
support him.

"I go to the ice-cliff to look upon the sea," said Chingatok one
morning, drawing himself up to his full height, and unconsciously
brushing some of the lamp-black off the roof of his hut with the hood of
his sealskin coat.

At this point it may be well to explain, once for all, that our giant
did not speak English, and as it is highly improbable that the reader
understands the Eskimo tongue, we will translate as literally as
possible--merely remarking that Chingatok's language, like his mind, was
of a superior cast.

"Why goes my son to the ice-cliff?" asked Toolooha in a slightly
reproachful tone. "Are not the floes nearer? Can he not