top!" shouted Eemerk, "you want to kill us. What great creature is
that? Does it come from the moon or the sun? Does it eat fire and
smoke?"

"No, it is only a dead thing. It is a wooden house."

"You lie!" cried the polite Eemerk, "it shakes its wings. It vomits
fire and smoke. It has a tail, and wags it."

While speaking he slowly retreated, for the plank was being placed in
position, and the other natives were showing symptoms of an intention to
fly.

Just then a shout was heard landwards. Turning round they saw a
dog-sledge flying over the ice towards them, with Oolichuk flourishing
the long-lashed whip, and the huge form of their leader beside him.

In a few seconds they dashed up, and Chingatok sprang upon the ice.
Without a moment's hesitation he strode towards the plank and crossed
it. Walking up to Anders he pulled his own nose. The interpreter was
not slow to return the salutation, as he looked up at the giant with
surprise, not unmingled with awe. In addition, he grasped his huge
hand, squeezed, and shook it.

Chingatok smiled blandly, and returned the squeeze so as to cause the
interpreter to wince. Then, perceiving at once that he had got
possession of a key to the affections of the strangers, he offered to
shake hands with Leonard and his brother, stooping with regal urbanity
to them as he did so. By this time the Captain and first mate, with
Benjy and several of the crew, were approaching. Instead of exhibiting
fear, Chingatok advanced to meet them, and shook hands all round. He
gazed at Captain Vane with a look of admiration which was not at first
quite accountable, until he laid his hand gently on the Captain's
magnificent beard, and stroked it.

The Captain laughed, and again grasped the hand of the Eskimo. They
both squeezed, but neither could make the other wince, for Captain Vane
was remarkably powerful, though comparatively short of limb.

"Well, you _are_ a good fellow in every way," exclaimed the Captain.

"Heigh, yah!" returned Chingatok, who no doubt meant to be
complimentary, though we confess our inability to translate. It was
obvious that two sympathetic souls had met.

"Come across," shouted Chingatok, turning abruptly to his companions,
who had been gazing at his proceedings in open-mouthed wonder.

The whole tribe at once obeyed the order, and in a few minutes they were
in the seventh heaven of delight and good-will, receiving gifts and
handshakings, each pull