his
subject. While acting in this, to him, novel capacity as a teacher of
God's Word, Leo more than once lifted up his heart in brief silent
prayer that the Spirit might open the heart of the savage to receive the
truth. The chief and his lieutenant listened with interest and
surprise. Being savages, they also listened with profound respect to
the young enthusiast, but Grabantak would not give up his intention. He
explained, however, that he meant first to go to the largest and most
central island of his dominions, to make inquiry there of the Man of the
Valley what would be the best time to set out for the war.

"The Man of the Valley!" asked Leo, "who is that?"

"He is an Eskimo," replied Grabantak, with a sudden air of solemnity in
his manner, "whose first forefather came in the far past longtime, from
nobody knows where; but this first forefather never had any father or
mother. He settled among the Eskimos and taught them many things. He
married one of their women, and his sons and daughters were many and
strong. Their descendants inhabit the Great Isle of Flatland at the
present day. They are good and strong; great hunters and warriors. The
first forefather lived long, till he became white and blind. His power
and wisdom lay in a little strange thing which he called `buk.' How it
made him strong or wise no one can tell, but so it was. His name was
Makitok. When he died he gave _buk_ to his eldest son. It was wrapped
up in a piece of sealskin. The eldest son had much talk with his father
about this mystery-thing, and was heard to speak much about the
Kablunets, but the son would never tell what he said. Neither would he
unwrap the mystery-thing, for fear that its power might escape. So he
wrapped it up in another piece of sealskin, and gave it to his eldest
son, telling him to hand it down from son to son, along with the name
Makitok. So _buk_ has grown to be a large bundle now, and no one
understands it, but every one has great reverence for it, and the
Makitok now in possession is a great mystery-man, very wise; we always
consult him on important matters."

Here was food for reflection to Leo during the remainder of that night,
and for many hours did his sleepless mind puzzle over the mystery of
Makitok, the Man of the Valley.

This sleepless condition was, not unpleasantly, prolonged by the sounds
of animal life that entered his oven-like dwelling during great part of
the night. Evidently g