off like the wind. Thus it came to pass that Chingatok and his mother
were startled by a yell, as before mentioned.

Meanwhile Anders was put on the ice, and advanced alone and unarmed
towards the canal, or chasm, which separated the parties. He carried a
small white flag and a bag containing presents. Innocent-looking and
defenceless though he was, however, the Eskimos approached him with
hesitating and slow steps, regarding every motion of the interpreter
with suspicion, and frequently stooping to thrust their hands into their
boots, in which they all carried knives.

At last, when within hearing, Anders shouted a peaceful message, and
there was much hallooing and gesticulation among the natives, but
nothing comprehensible came of it. After a time Anders thought he
recognised words of a dialect with which he was acquainted, and to his
satisfaction found that they understood him.

"Kakeite! kakeite!--come on, come on," he cried, holding up the present.

"Nakrie! nakrie!--no, no, go away--you want to kill us," answered the
doubtful natives.

Thereupon Anders protested that nothing was further from his thoughts,
that he was a man and a friend, and had a mother like themselves, and
that he wanted to please them.

At this Eemerk approached to the edge of the canal, and, drawing a knife
from his boot, said, "Go away! I can kill you."

Nothing daunted, Anders said he was not afraid, and taking a good
English knife from his bag threw it across the canal.

Eemerk picked it up, and was so pleased that he exclaimed, "Heigh-yaw!
heigh-yaw!" joyously, and pulled his nose several times. Anders,
understanding this to be a sign of friendship, immediately pulled his
own nose, smiled, and threw several trinkets and articles of clothing to
the other natives, who had by that time drawn together in a group, and
were chattering in great surprise at the things presented. Ivitchuk was
perhaps the most excited among them. He chanced to get hold of a round
hox, in the lid of which was a mirror. On beholding himself looking at
himself, he made such an awful face that he dropt the glass and sprang
backward, tripping up poor Oblooria in the act, and tumbling over her.

This was greeted with a shout of laughter, and Anders, now believing
that friendly relations had been established, went to the boat for a
plank to bridge the chasm. As Leo and Alf assisted him to carry the
plank, the natives again became grave and anxious.

"S