ed Chukkee, who was
very fond of the huge and lazy youth, and who, being herself
good-natured and unselfish, would be sure to make him a good wife.

After one or two unavailing efforts, therefore, and a few sighs, the
heir-apparent to the throne of Flatland ceased to trouble Oblooria, and
devoted himself to his three favourite occupations--hunting, eating, and
repose.

"Misser Lo," whispered Anders, on the first night after landing, as they
busied themselves with the partition above referred to, "we 'scapes from
dis here land very easy."

"How, Anders?"

"W'y, you's on'y got wait for nort' vint, den up kite, launch boat,
an'--hup! away."

"True, lad, but I don't want to escape just yet."

"Not want to 'scape?"

"No. You see, Anders, we are now on very friendly terms with this
tribe, and it seems to me that if we were to remain for a time and
increase our influence, we might induce Grabantak to give up this war on
which he seems to have set his heart. I have great hopes of doing
something with Teyma. He is evidently a reasonable fellow, and has much
power, I think, with the chief--indeed with every one. Pity that he is
not to succeed Grabantak instead of that stupid Koyatuk. Besides, now I
am here I must explore the land if possible. It is a pity no doubt to
leave our friends, even for a short time, in ignorance of our fate, but
we can't help that at present. Light the lamp, Anders, and let's see
what we're about."

The summer was by that time so far advanced that the sun descended a
considerable way below the horizon each night, leaving behind a sweet
mellow twilight which deepened almost into darkness inside the Eskimo
huts. These latter, like those already described, were made of stone,
and the small openings that served for windows did not let in much light
at any time.

The hut which had been assigned by Grabantak to his prisoners--or
visitors, for as such he now seemed to regard them--was a large roomy
one, made chiefly of clay. It stood on a little mound a hundred yards
or so apart from the main village of Flatland, and was probably one of
the chief's private palaces. It was oval in form--like a huge oven--
about fifteen feet in diameter, and six feet in height. One-half of the
floor was raised about eight inches, thus forming the "breck," which
served for a lounge by day, and a couch by night. Its furniture of
skins, cooking-lamp, etcetera, was much the same as that of the Eskimo
huts alr