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Page 10
A murmur of dismay rose from the others. "The _tupilak_! the
_tupilak_!" Maisanguaq exultantly murmured, his eyes alight. "Happy
_angakoq_! Thou shalt have much of Ootah's meat!"
Over the spot where Ootah sank the sun flamed. The water seethed with
the threshing of the animals beneath the sea. Ootah's float finally
rose. The natives watched breathlessly for the reappearance of Ootah.
The float bobbed up and down as the animal's death struggles beneath
the water subsided.
Maisanguaq, looking at the floats which marked the dead animals, called
out:
"Ootah hath won Annadoah--hah-hah-hah! Hah! Ootah hath won Annadoah
only to lose her! We shall take Ootah's catch to Annadoah, but Ootah
sleeps. Ootah hath gone to taste the water in the country of the dead!
Hah-hah!"
At that moment Maisanguaq nearly fell from his kayak.
"Methinks thou wilt perhaps join the fishes first, friend Maisanguaq,"
a familiar voice laughed joyously behind him.
Maisanguaq's face became livid with dismay. Had the _angakoq_ failed?
And why?
Turning, he saw Ootah, not far away, clambering from the water onto the
floe. He was unscathed by the mishap--the water even had not
penetrated his skin garments. A joyous cry arose from the hunters as
they saw him running to and fro, working his arms to get up
circulation. Noting Maisanguaq's scowling face, Ootah twitted him:
"Laugh, friend Maisanguaq," he said, "for winter comes and then thy
teeth will chatter." Maisanguaq scowled deeply--Ootah's blithesome
remarks filled him with rancor.
"Peace, Maisanguaq. Methinks thou, too, lovest Annadoah," continued
Ootah kindly. "Therefor, I hear thee no spite! For who cannot love
Annadoah. _Ka--ka!_ Come--come!" Shaking the water from him, he bade
the others tow his kayak to the floe.
Ootah entered his kayak. The struggles of the walrus had subsided, and
only two skin floats bobbed feebly on top of the waves. The hunters
now strung series of kayaks together with strong leather ropes, three
skin boats being attached in a catamaran. Taking up the leather floats
one by one, to the rear kayak of each series the hunters fastened the
harpoon lines which secured the prey. Thus the animals were to be
towed slowly ashore.
Altogether eight walrus had been secured; four of these had fallen to
the skill of Ootah. Ootah sang for joy. Again he had achieved
distinction on the hunt, and so, with all the better chances of
success, he believed he might pursue his suit for the hand of Annadoah.
With powerful, steady strokes of their paddles the hunters, in their
processions of kayaks, towed the walrus through the sea shoreward.
They joined unrestrainedly in Ootah's hunting chant. Only Maisanguaq
was silent.
Now and then, unable to restrain his exuberant joy, Ootah sang his love
to the clouds, the waves, the winds.
"O winds, O happy winds, speed my message to Annadoah!" he called.
"Tell her that I return with the food of the sea! O spirits of the
air, breathe to her that Ootah's heart hungers for her as starving
_ahmingmah_ desire green grass in winter time. O happy, happy waters,
I return to Annadoah with food and fuel for winter--say Ootah
_meuilacto_--would wed--Annadoah. Tell her Ootah calls her
_Mamacadosa_!"
The others, although disappointed in being outwon, in spontaneous
recognition of his superior feat, chimed a chorus of congratulations.
Suddenly Maisanguaq gleefully pointed a significant finger to the sky.
"Pst!" he said.
A black guillemot, like an omen of evil, passed over Ootah's head.
By all the immemorial customs of their people, because of the
established pre-eminence of his prowess, Ootah should now find favor in
the eyes of Annadoah. Scarce seventeen summers had passed over
Annadoah's head and of wooers she had a score. The young hunters, not
only of her own tribe, but of others far south, sought her hand. The
fame of her beauty and skill had travelled far. None, it was said,
equalled her dexterity in plaiting sinew thread; none cut and sewed
garments as this maid with tender child's hands. She made weapons, she
brewed marvellous broths. Since the death of her mother she had served
the tribe with her skill. Yet, as the summers passed, she remained
carefree and to all suitors shook her head. "Become a great chief,"
she would say. "Win in the games, bring back the musk oxen, then
perhaps Annadoah will listen." Each summer the young men pursued the
hunt with the hope of becoming chief hunter among the tribesmen. But
for three summers Ootah had won signally above them all. To the remote
regions of their world the name of Ootah was whispered with awe. Ootah
carried off honors in the muscle-tapping and finger-pulling matches; he
out-distanced all rivals in kayak races on the sea; he left everyone
behind on perilous journeys to the inland mountains. Of every living
animal on land and sea he had killed, and in quantity of game he
excelled them all. Only of late had Annadoah listened with some degree
of favor to his pleadings. In the days of want he brought blubber to
her for fuel, and provided her with meat. And she was grateful.
Perhaps her heart stirred, but she feared the quiet passion of Ootah,
and by a perverse feminine instinct she resented a tenderness so gentle
that it seemed almost womanly. With winter approaching, and food
scarce, it was inevitable that Annadoah should wed. And now that Ootah
in the quest of the walrus had made the greatest kill, none doubted
that he should be chosen.
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