t before in that light,
and then said, more or less emphatically, "There, that's what we thought
exactly, only we could not state it so well as the great Grabantak!"

After this there was no chance for Teyma and his party--and he had a
party, even among northern savages,--who believed in men working hard at
their own affairs and letting other people alone, as far as that was
possible. But the peace-party in Arctic land was in a minority at that
time, and the council broke up with shouts for Grabantak, and
denunciations of death and destruction to the men of Poloeland.

But things do not always turn out as men--even wise men--arrange them.
From that day, during the brief period of preparation for the setting
out of an expedition to visit Makitok of Great Isle, Leo received daily
visits from the Prime Minister, who was deeply interested and
inquisitive about the strange "_thing_," as he styled the Bible, which
told the Kablunets about God and the Prince of Peace. Of course Leo was
willing and happy to give him all the information he desired, and, in
doing so, found a new and deep source of pleasure.

Teyma was not the man to hide his light under a bushel. He was a
fearless outspoken counsellor, and not only sought to advance the
pacific views he held, by talking to the men of his own party in
private, but even propounded them in public to Grabantak himself, who,
however, could not be moved, though many of his men quietly changed
sides.

With all this Teyma was loyal to his chief. Whatever he did was in the
way of fair and open argument. He was too loyal to help Leo when he
made a certain proposal to him one day.

"Teyma," said Leo, on that occasion, "you have been very friendly to me.
Will you do me a great favour? Will you send a young man in a kayak to
Poloeland with a message from me to my people? They must think I am
dead. I wish them to know that I am here, and well."

"No," replied Teyma promptly; "that would let the men of Poloe know that
we talk of going to attack them. I do not love war. I wish to let our
enemies alone, but if my chief decides for war, it is my duty to help,
not to frustrate him. If we go to war with Poloeland, we must take the
men of Poloe by surprise. That could not be if a young man went with
your message."

Leo saw the force of this, and respected Teyma's disinterested loyalty
to his chief; but felt inclined to argue that, fidelity to the best
interests of his country stoo