twist."

"That son of Blackbeard must be a fool more than his father," said
Toolooha, casting a look of indignation at her innocent kettle.

"Perhaps; but he is not like his father," returned Chingatok meekly.
"There are two other chiefs among the Kablunets who seem to me fine men.
They are very young and wise. They have learned a little of our tongue
from the Brainless One, and asked me some questions about the rocks, and
the moss, and the flowers. They are tall and strong. One of them is
very grave and seems to think much, like myself. He also spoke of this
Nothing--this Nort Pole. They are all mad, I think, about that thing--
that Nothing!"

The conversation was interrupted at this point by the sudden entrance of
the giant's little sister with the news that the Kablunets were observed
coming round the great cape, dragging a sledge.

"Is not the big oomiak with them?" asked her brother, rising quickly.

"No, we see no oomiak--no wings--no fire," answered Oblooria, "only six
men dragging a sledge."

Chingatok went out immediately, and Oblooria was about to follow when
her mother recalled her.

"Come here, little one. There is a bit of blubber for you to suck.
Tell me, saw you any sign of madness in these white men when they were
talking with your brother about this--this--Nort Pole."

"No, mother, no," answered Oblooria thoughtfully, "I saw not madness.
They laughed much, it is true--but not more than Oolichuk laughs
sometimes. Yes--I think again! There was one who seems mad--the small
boy, whom brother thinks to be the son of Blackbeard--Benjay, they call
him."

"Hah! I thought so," exclaimed Toolooha, evidently pleased at her
penetration on this point. "Go, child, I cannot quit the lamp. Bring
me news of what they say and do."

Oblooria obeyed with alacrity, bolting her strip of half-cooked blubber
as she ran; her mother meanwhile gave her undivided attention to the
duties of the lamp.

The white men and all the members of the Eskimo band were standing by
the sledge engaged in earnest conversation when the little girl came
forward. Captain Vane was speaking.

"Yes, Chingatok," he said, looking up at the tall savage, who stood
erect in frame but with bent head and his hands clasped before him, like
a modest chief, which in truth he was. "Yes, if you will guide me to
your home in the northern lands, I will pay you well--for I have much
iron and wood and such things as I think you wish for an