, would the
insult be wiped out in that case? Would it not rather be deepened?"

"True, it would; but then we should all be dead--we should not care."

"The _men_ would all be dead, truly," returned the Captain, "but perhaps
the women and children left behind might care. They would also suffer."

"Go, go," said the Eskimo chief, losing temper as he lost ground in the
argument; "what can Kablunets know about such matters? You tell me you
are men of peace; that your religion is a religion of peace. Of course,
then, you understand nothing about war. Go, I have been insulted, and I
_must_ fight."

Seeing that it would be fruitless talking to the old chief while he was
in this frame of mind, Captain Vane left him and returned to his own
hut, where he found Chingatok and Leo engaged in earnest conversation--
Alf and Benjy being silent listeners.

"I'm glad you've come, uncle," said Leo, making room for him on the turf
seat, "because Chingatok and I are discussing the subject of war; and--"

"A strange coincidence," interrupted the Captain. "I have just been
discussing the same subject with old Amalatok. I hope that in showing
the evils of war you are coming better speed with the son than I did
with the father."

"As to that," said Leo, "I have no difficulty in showing Chingatok the
evils of war. He sees them clearly enough already. The trouble I have
with him is to explain the Bible on that subject. You see he has got a
very troublesome inquiring sort of mind, and ever since I have told him
that the Bible is the Word of God he won't listen to my explanations
about anything. He said to me in the quietest way possible, just now,
`Why do you give me _your_ reasons when you tell me the Great Spirit has
given His? I want to know what _He_ says.' Well, now, you know, it is
puzzling to be brought to book like that, and I doubt if Anders
translates well. You understand and speak the language, uncle, better
than he does, I think, so I want you to help me."

"I'll try, Leo, though I am ashamed to say I am not so well read in the
Word myself as I ought to be. What does Chingatok want to know?"

"He wants to _reconcile_ things, of course. That is always the way.
Now I told him that the Great Spirit is good, and does not wish men to
go to war, and that He has written for us a law, namely, that we should
`live peaceably with all men.' Chingatok liked this very much, but then
I had told him before, that the Great S