第6章

"Whatisit？"saidKotuko；forhewasbeginningtobeafraid。

"Thesickness，"Kadluanswered。"Itisthedogsickness。"Kotukothedogliftedhisnoseandhowledandhowledagain。

"Ihavenotseenthisbefore。Whatwillhedo？"saidKotuko。

Kadlushruggedoneshoulderalittle，andcrossedthehutforhisshortstabbing-harpoon。Thebigdoglookedathim，howledagain，andslunkawaydownthepassage，whiletheotherdogsdrewasiderightandlefttogivehimampleroom。Whenhewasoutonthesnowhebarkedfuriously，asthoughonthetrailofamusk-ox，and，barkingandleapingandfrisking，passedoutofsight。Histroublewasnothydrophobia，butsimple，plainmadness。Thecoldandthehunger，and，aboveall，thedark，hadturnedhishead；andwhentheterribledog-sicknessonceshowsitselfinateam，itspreadslikewild-fire。Nexthunting-

dayanotherdogsickened，andwaskilledthenandtherebyKotukoashebitandstruggledamongthetraces。Thentheblackseconddog，whohadbeentheleaderintheolddays，suddenlygavetongueonanimaginaryreindeer-track，andwhentheyslippedhimfromthepituheflewatthethroatofanice-cliff，andranawayashisleaderhaddone，hisharnessonhisback。

Afterthatnoonewouldtakethedogsoutagain。Theyneededthemforsomethingelse，andthedogsknewit；andthoughtheyweretieddownandfedbyhand，theireyeswerefullofdespairandfear。Tomakethingsworse，theoldwomenbegantotellghost-tales，andtosaythattheyhadmetthespiritsofthedeadhunterslostthatautumn，whoprophesiedallsortsofhorriblethings。

Kotukogrievedmoreforthelossofhisdogthananythingelse；

forthoughanInuiteatsenormouslyhealsoknowshowtostarve。

Butthehunger，thedarkness，thecold，andtheexposuretoldonhisstrength，andhebegantohearvoicesinsidehishead，andtoseepeoplewhowerenotthere，outofthetailofhiseye。

Onenight——hehadunbuckledhimselfaftertenhours’waitingabovea"blind"seal-hole，andwasstaggeringbacktothevillagefaintanddizzy——hehaltedtoleanhisbackagainstaboulderwhichhappenedtobesupportedlikearocking-stoneonasinglejuttingpointofice。Hisweightdisturbedthebalanceofthething，itrolledoverponderously，andasKotukosprangasidetoavoidit，slidafterhim，squeakingandhissingontheice-slope。

ThatwasenoughforKotuko。Hehadbeenbroughtuptobelievethateveryrockandboulderhaditsowner（itsinua），whowasgenerallyaone-eyedkindofaWoman-Thingcalledatornaq，andthatwhenatornaqmeanttohelpamansherolledafterhiminsideherstonehouse，andaskedhimwhetherhewouldtakeherforaguardianspirit。（Insummerthawstheice-proppedrocksandbouldersrollandslipalloverthefaceoftheland，soyoucaneasilyseehowtheideaoflivestonesarose。）Kotukoheardthebloodbeatinginhisearsashehadhearditallday，andhethoughtthatwasthetornaqofthestonespeakingtohim。

Beforehereachedhomehewasquitecertainthathehadheldalongconversationwithher，andasallhispeoplebelievedthatthiswasquitepossible，noonecontradictedhim。

"Shesaidtome，’Ijumpdown，Ijumpdownfrommyplaceonthesnow，’"criedKotuko，withholloweyes，leaningforwardinthehalf-lightedhut。"Shesaid，’Iwillbeaguide。’Shesaid，’Iwillguideyoutothegoodseal-holes。’To-morrowIgoout，andthetornaqwillguideme。"

Thentheangekok，thevillagesorcerer，camein，andKotukotoldhimthetaleasecondtime。Itlostnothinginthetelling。

"Followthetornait[thespiritsofthestones]，andtheywillbringusfoodagain，"saidtheangekok。

NowthegirlfromtheNorthhadbeenlyingnearthelamp，eatingverylittleandsayinglessfordayspast；butwhenAmoraqandKadlunextmorningpackedandlashedalittlehand-

sleighforKotuko，andloadeditwithhishunting-gearandasmuchblubberandfrozenseal-meatastheycouldspare，shetookthepulling-rope，andsteppedoutboldlyattheboy’sside。

"Yourhouseismyhouse，"shesaid，asthelittlebone-shodsleighsqueakedandbumpedbehindthemintheawfulArcticnight。

"Myhouseisyourhouse，"saidKotuko；"butIthinkthatweshallbothgotoSednatogether。"

NowSednaistheMistressoftheUnderworld，andtheInuitbelievethateveryonewhodiesmustspendayearinherhorriblecountrybeforegoingtoQuadliparmiut，theHappyPlace，whereitneverfreezesandthefatreindeertrotupwhenyoucall。

Throughthevillagepeoplewereshouting："ThetornaithavespokentoKotuko。Theywillshowhimopenice。Hewillbringusthesealagain！"Theirvoicesweresoonswallowedupbythecold，emptydark，andKotukoandthegirlshoulderedclosetogetherastheystrainedonthepulling-ropeorhumouredthesleighthroughtheiceinthedirectionofthePolarSea。

Kotukoinsistedthatthetornaqofthestonehadtoldhimtogonorth，andnorththeywentunderTuktuqdjungtheReindeer——thosestarsthatwecalltheGreatBear。

NoEuropeancouldhavemadefivemilesadayovertheice-

rubbishandthesharp-edgeddrifts；butthosetwoknewexactlytheturnofthewristthatcoaxesasleighroundahummock，thejerkthatnearlyliftsitoutofanice-crack，andtheexactstrengththatgoestothefewquietstrokesofthespear-headthatmakeapathpossiblewheneverythinglookshopeless。

Thegirlsaidnothing，butbowedherhead，andthelongwolverine-furfringeofhererminehoodblewacrossherbroad，darkface。Theskyabovethemwasanintensevelvetyblack，changingtobandsofIndianredonthehorizon，wherethegreatstarsburnedlikestreet-lamps。FromtimetotimeagreenishwaveoftheNorthernLightswouldrollacrossthehollowofthehighheavens，flicklikeaflag，anddisappear；orameteorwouldcracklefromdarknesstodarkness，trailingashowerofsparksbehind。Thentheycouldseetheridgedandfurrowedsurfaceofthefloetippedandlacedwithstrangecolours——red，copper，andbluish；butintheordinarystarlighteverythingturnedtoonefrost-bittengray。Thefloe，asyouwillremember，hadbeenbatteredandtormentedbytheautumngalestillitwasonefrozenearthquake。Thereweregulliesandravines，andholeslikegravel-pits，cutinice；lumpsandscatteredpiecesfrozendowntotheoriginalfloorofthefloe；blotchesofoldblackicethathadbeenthrustunderthefloeinsomegaleandheavedupagain；roundishbouldersofice；saw-likeedgesoficecarvedbythesnowthatfliesbeforethewind；andsunkenpitswherethirtyorfortyacreslaybelowtheleveloftherestofthefield。Fromalittledistanceyoumighthavetakenthelumpsforsealorwalrus，overturnedsleighsormenonahuntingexpedition，oreventhegreatTen-leggedWhiteSpirit-Bearhimself；butinspiteofthesefantasticshapes，allontheveryedgeofstartingintolife，therewasneithersoundnortheleastfaintechoofsound。Andthroughthissilenceandthroughthiswaste，wherethesuddenlightsflappedandwentoutagain，thesleighandthetwothatpulleditcrawledlikethingsinanightmare——anightmareoftheendoftheworldattheendoftheworld。

WhentheyweretiredKotukowouldmakewhatthehunterscalla"half-house，"averysmallsnowhut，intowhichtheywouldhuddlewiththetravelling-lamp，andtrytothawoutthefrozenseal-meat。Whentheyhadslept，themarchbeganagain——thirtymilesadaytogettenmilesnorthward。Thegirlwasalwaysverysilent，butKotukomutteredtohimselfandbrokeoutintosongshehadlearnedintheSinging-House——summersongs，andreindeerandsalmonsongs——allhorriblyoutofplaceatthatseason。

Hewoulddeclarethatheheardthetornaqgrowlingtohim，andwouldrunwildlyupahummock，tossinghisarmsandspeakinginloud，threateningtones。Totellthetruth，Kotukowasverynearlycrazyforthetimebeing；butthegirlwassurethathewasbeingguidedbyhisguardianspirit，andthateverythingwouldcomeright。Shewasnotsurprised，therefore，whenattheendofthefourthmarchKotuko，whoseeyeswereburninglikefire-ballsinhishead，toldherthathistornaqwasfollowingthemacrossthesnowintheshapeofatwo-headeddog。ThegirllookedwhereKotukopointed，andsomethingseemedtoslipintoaravine。Itwascertainlynothuman，buteverybodyknewthatthetornaitpreferredtoappearintheshapeofbearandseal，andsuchlike。

ItmighthavebeentheTen-leggedWhiteSpirit-Bearhimself，oritmighthavebeenanything，forKotukoandthegirlweresostarvedthattheireyeswereuntrustworthy。Theyhadtrappednothing，andseennotraceofgamesincetheyhadleftthevillage；theirfoodwouldnotholdoutforanotherweek，andtherewasagalecoming。APolarstormcanblowfortendayswithoutabreak，andallthatwhileitiscertaindeathtobeabroad。Kotukolaidupasnow-houselargeenoughtotakeinthehand-sleigh（neverbeseparatedfromyourmeat），andwhilehewasshapingthelastirregularblockoficethatmakesthekey-stoneoftheroof，hesawaThinglookingathimfromalittlecliffoficehalfamileaway。Theairwashazy，andtheThingseemedtobefortyfeetlongandtenfeethigh，withtwentyfeetoftailandashapethatquiveredallalongtheoutlines。Thegirlsawittoo，butinsteadofcryingaloudwithterror，saidquietly，"ThatisQuiquern。Whatcomesafter？"

"Hewillspeaktome，"saidKotuko；butthesnow-knifetrembledinhishandashespoke，becausehowevermuchamanmaybelievethatheisafriendofstrangeanduglyspirits，heseldomlikestobetakenquiteathisword。Quiquern，too，isthephantomofagigantictoothlessdogwithoutanyhair，whoissupposedtoliveinthefarNorth，andtowanderaboutthecountryjustbeforethingsaregoingtohappen。Theymaybepleasantorunpleasantthings，butnoteventhesorcererscaretospeakaboutQuiquern。Hemakesthedogsgomad。LiketheSpirit-Bear，hehasseveralextrapairsoflegs，——sixoreight，——andthisThingjumpingupanddowninthehazehadmorelegsthananyrealdogneeded。Kotukoandthegirlhuddledintotheirhutquickly。OfcourseifQuiquernhadwantedthem，hecouldhavetornittopiecesabovetheirheads，butthesenseofafoot-

thicksnow-wallbetweenthemselvesandthewickeddarkwasgreatcomfort。Thegalebrokewithashriekofwindliketheshriekofatrain，andforthreedaysandthreenightsitheld，nevervaryingonepoint，andneverlullingevenforaminute。Theyfedthestonelampbetweentheirknees，andnibbledatthehalf-warmseal-meat，andwatchedtheblacksootgatherontheroofforseventy-twolonghours。Thegirlcountedupthefoodinthesleigh；therewasnotmorethantwodays’supply，andKotukolookedovertheironheadsandthedeer-sinewfasteningsofhisharpoonandhisseal-lanceandhisbird-dart。Therewasnothingelsetodo。

"WeshallgotoSednasoon——verysoon，"thegirlwhispered。

"Inthreedaysweshallliedownandgo。Willyourtornaqdonothing？Singheranangekok’ssongtomakehercomehere。"

Hebegantosinginthehigh-pitchedhowlofthemagicsongs，andthegalewentdownslowly。Inthemiddleofhissongthegirlstarted，laidhermittenedhandandthenherheadtotheicefloorofthehut。Kotukofollowedherexample，andthetwokneeled，staringintoeachother’seyes，andlisteningwitheverynerve。Herippedathinsliverofwhalebonefromtherimofabird-snarethatlayonthesleigh，and，afterstraightening，setituprightinalittleholeintheice，firmingitdownwithhismitten。Itwasalmostasdelicatelyadjustedasacompass-needle，andnowinsteadoflisteningtheywatched。Thethinrodquiveredalittle——theleastlittlejarintheworld；thenitvibratedsteadilyforafewseconds，cametorest，andvibratedagain，thistimenoddingtoanotherpointofthecompass。

"Toosoon！"saidKotuko。"Somebigfloehasbrokenfarawayoutside。"

Thegirlpointedattherod，andshookherhead。"Itisthebigbreaking，"shesaid。"Listentotheground-ice。Itknocks。"

Whentheykneeledthistimetheyheardthemostcuriousmuffledgruntsandknockings，apparentlyundertheirfeet。Sometimesitsoundedasthoughablindpuppyweresqueakingabovethelamp；

thenasifastonewerebeinggroundonhardice；andagain，likemuffledblowsonadrum；butalldraggedoutandmadesmall，asthoughtheytravelledthroughalittlehornawearydistanceaway。

"WeshallnotgotoSednalyingdown，"saidKotuko。"Itisthebreaking。Thetornaqhascheatedus。Weshalldie。"

Allthismaysoundabsurdenough，butthetwowerefacetofacewithaveryrealdanger。Thethreedays’galehaddriventhedeepwaterofBaffin’sBaysoutherly，andpileditontotheedgeofthefar-reachingland-icethatstretchesfromBylot’sIslandtothewest。Also，thestrongcurrentwhichsetseastoutofLancasterSoundcarriedwithitmileuponmileofwhattheycallpack-ice——roughicethathasnotfrozenintofields；

andthispackwasbombardingthefloeatthesametimethattheswellandheaveofthestorm-workedseawasweakeningandunderminingit。WhatKotukoandthegirlhadbeenlisteningtowerethefaintechoesofthatfightthirtyorfortymilesaway，andthelittletell-talerodquiveredtotheshockofit。

Now，astheInuitsay，whentheiceoncewakesafteritslongwintersleep，thereisnoknowingwhatmayhappen，forsolidfloe-icechangesshapealmostasquicklyasacloud。

Thegalewasevidentlyaspringgalesentoutoftime，andanythingwaspossible。

Yetthetwowerehappierintheirmindsthanbefore。Ifthefloebrokeuptherewouldbenomorewaitingandsuffering。Spirits，goblins，andwitch-peopleweremovingaboutontherackingice，andtheymightfindthemselvessteppingintoSedna’scountrysidebysidewithallsortsofwildThings，theflushofexcitementstillonthem。Whentheyleftthehutafterthegale，thenoiseonthehorizonwassteadilygrowing，andthetoughicemoanedandbuzzedallroundthem。

"Itisstillwaiting，"saidKotuko。

Onthetopofahummocksatorcrouchedtheeight-leggedThingthattheyhadseenthreedaysbefore——andithowledhorribly。

"Letusfollow，"saidthegirl。"ItmayknowsomewaythatdoesnotleadtoSedna"；butshereeledfromweaknessasshetookthepulling-rope。TheThingmovedoffslowlyandclumsilyacrosstheridges，headingalwaystowardthewestwardandtheland，andtheyfollowed，whilethegrowlingthunderattheedgeofthefloerollednearerandnearer。Thefloe’slipwassplitandcrackedineverydirectionforthreeorfourmilesinland，andgreatpansoften-foot-thickice，fromafewyardstotwentyacressquare，werejoltingandduckingandsurgingintooneanother，andintotheyetunbrokenfloe，astheheavyswelltookandshookandspoutedbetweenthem。Thisbattering-ramicewas，sotospeak，thefirstarmythattheseawasflingingagainstthefloe。Theincessantcrashandjarofthesecakesalmostdrownedtherippingsoundofsheetsofpack-icedrivenbodilyunderthefloeascardsarehastilypushedunderatablecloth。

Wherethewaterwasshallowthesesheetswouldbepiledoneatopoftheothertillthebottommosttouchedmudfiftyfeetdown，andthediscolouredseabankedbehindthemuddyicetilltheincreasingpressuredroveallforwardagain。Inadditiontothefloeandthepack-ice，thegaleandthecurrentswerebringingdowntruebergs，sailingmountainsofice，snappedofffromtheGreenlandsideofthewaterorthenorthshoreofMelvilleBay。

Theypoundedinsolemnly，thewavesbreakingwhiteroundthem，andadvancedonthefloelikeanold-timefleetunderfullsail。

Abergthatseemedreadytocarrytheworldbeforeitwouldgroundhelplesslyindeepwater，reelover，andwallowinalatheroffoamandmudandflyingfrozenspray，whileamuchsmallerandloweronewouldripandrideintotheflatfloe，flingingtonsoficeoneitherside，andcuttingatrackhalfamilelongbeforeitwasstopped。Somefelllikeswords，shearingaraw-edgedcanal；andotherssplinteredintoashowerofblocks，weighingscoresoftonsapiece，thatwhirledandskirtedamongthehummocks。Others，again，roseupbodilyoutofthewaterwhentheyshoaled，twistedasthoughinpain，andfellsolidlyontheirsides，whiletheseathreshedovertheirshoulders。Thistramplingandcrowdingandbendingandbucklingandarchingoftheiceintoeverypossibleshapewasgoingonasfarastheeyecouldreachallalongthenorthlineofthefloe。

>FromwhereKotukoandthegirlwere，theconfusionlookednomorethananuneasy，rippling，crawlingmovementunderthehorizon；butitcametowardthemeachmoment，andtheycouldhear，farawaytolandwardaheavybooming，asitmighthavebeentheboomofartillerythroughafog。ThatshowedthatthefloewasbeingjammedhomeagainsttheironcliffsofBylot’sIsland，thelandtothesouthwardbehindthem。

"Thishasneverbeenbefore，"saidKotuko，staringstupidly。

"Thisisnotthetime。HowcanthefloebreakNOW？"

"FollowTHAT！thegirlcried，pointingtotheThinghalflimping，halfrunningdistractedlybeforethem。Theyfollowed，tuggingatthehand-sleigh，whilenearerandnearercametheroaringmarchoftheice。Atlastthefieldsroundthemcrackedandstarredineverydirection，andthecracksopenedandsnappedliketheteethofwolves。ButwheretheThingrested，onamoundofoldandscatteredice-blockssomefiftyfeethigh，therewasnomotion。Kotukoleapedforwardwildly，draggingthegirlafterhim，andcrawledtothebottomofthemound。

Thetalkingoftheicegrewlouderandlouderroundthem，butthemoundstayedfast，and，asthegirllookedathim，hethrewhisrightelbowupwardandoutward，makingtheInuitsignforlandintheshapeofanisland。Andlanditwasthattheeight-legged，limpingThinghadledthemto——somegranite-

tipped，sand-beachedisletoffthecoast，shodandsheathedandmaskedwithicesothatnomancouldhavetolditfromthefloe，butatthebottomsolidearth，andnotshiftingice！

Thesmashingandreboundofthefloesastheygroundedandsplinteredmarkedthebordersofit，andafriendlyshoalranouttothenorthward，andturnedasidetherushoftheheaviestice，exactlyasaploughshareturnsoverloam。Therewasdanger，ofcourse，thatsomeheavilysqueezedice-fieldmightshootupthebeach，andplaneoffthetopoftheisletbodily；butthatdidnottroubleKotukoandthegirlwhentheymadetheirsnow-

houseandbegantoeat，andheardtheicehammerandskidalongthebeach。TheThinghaddisappeared，andKotukowastalkingexcitedlyabouthispoweroverspiritsashecrouchedroundthelamp。Inthemiddleofhiswildsayingsthegirlbegantolaugh，androckherselfbackwardandforward。

Behindhershoulder，crawlingintothehutcrawlbycrawl，thereweretwoheads，oneyellowandoneblack，thatbelongedtotwoofthemostsorrowfulandashameddogsthateveryousaw。

Kotukothedogwasone，andtheblackleaderwastheother。

Bothwerenowfat，well-looking，andquiterestoredtotheirproperminds，butcoupledtoeachotherinanextraordinaryfashion。Whentheblackleaderranoff，youremember，hisharnesswasstillonhim。HemusthavemetKotukothedog，andplayedorfoughtwithhim，forhisshoulder-loophadcaughtintheplaitedcopperwireofKotuko’scollar，andhaddrawntight，sothatneithercouldgetatthetracetognawitapart，buteachwasfastenedsidelongtohisneighbour’sneck。

That，withthefreedomofhuntingontheirownaccount，musthavehelpedtocuretheirmadness。Theywereverysober。

ThegirlpushedthetwoshamefacedcreaturestowardsKotuko，and，sobbingwithlaughter，cried，"ThatisQuiquern，wholedustosafeground。Lookathiseightlegsanddoublehead！"

Kotukocutthemfree，andtheyfellintohisarms，yellowandblacktogether，tryingtoexplainhowtheyhadgottheirsensesbackagain。Kotukoranahanddowntheirribs，whichwereroundandwellclothed。"Theyhavefoundfood，"hesaid，withagrin。

"IdonotthinkweshallgotoSednasosoon。Mytornaqsentthese。Thesicknesshasleftthem。"

AssoonastheyhadgreetedKotuko，thesetwo，whohadbeenforcedtosleepandeatandhunttogetherforthepastfewweeks，flewateachother’sthroat，andtherewasabeautifulbattleinthesnow-house。"Emptydogsdonotfight，"

Kotukosaid。"Theyhavefoundtheseal。Letussleep。Weshallfindfood。"

Whentheywakedtherewasopenwateronthenorthbeachoftheisland，andalltheloosenedicehadbeendrivenlandward。

ThefirstsoundofthesurfisoneofthemostdelightfulthattheInuitcanhear，foritmeansthatspringisontheroad。

Kotukoandthegirltookholdofhandsandsmiled，fortheclear，fullroarofthesurgeamongtheiceremindedthemofsalmonandreindeertimeandthesmellofblossomingground-

willows。Evenastheylooked，theseabegantoskimoverbetweenthefloatingcakesofice，sointensewasthecold；butonthehorizontherewasavastredglare，andthatwasthelightofthesunkensun。Itwasmorelikehearinghimyawninhissleepthanseeinghimrise，andtheglarelastedforonlyafewminutes，butitmarkedtheturnoftheyear。Nothing，theyfelt，couldalterthat。

Kotukofoundthedogsfightingoverafresh-killedsealwhowasfollowingthefishthatagalealwaysdisturbs。Hewasthefirstofsometwentyorthirtysealthatlandedontheislandinthecourseoftheday，andtilltheseafrozehardtherewerehundredsofkeenblackheadsrejoicingintheshallowfreewaterandfloatingaboutwiththefloatingice。

Itwasgoodtoeatseal-liveragain；tofillthelampsrecklesslywithblubber，andwatchtheflameblazethreefeetintheair；butassoonasthenewsea-icebore，Kotukoandthegirlloadedthehand-sleigh，andmadethetwodogspullastheyhadneverpulledintheirlives，fortheyfearedwhatmighthavehappenedintheirvillage。Theweatherwasaspitilessasusual；

butitiseasiertodrawasleighloadedwithgoodfoodthantohuntstarving。Theyleftfive-and-twentysealcarcassesburiedintheiceofthebeach，allreadyforuse，andhurriedbacktotheirpeople。ThedogsshowedthemthewayassoonasKotukotoldthemwhatwasexpected，andthoughtherewasnosignofalandmark，intwodaystheyweregivingtongueoutsideKadlu’shouse。Onlythreedogsansweredthem；theothershadbeeneaten，andthehouseswerealldark。ButwhenKotukoshouted，"Ojo！"

（boiledmeat），weakvoicesreplied，andwhenhecalledthemusterofthevillagenamebyname，verydistinctly，therewerenogapsinit。

AnhourlaterthelampsblazedinKadlu’shouse；snow-waterwasheating；thepotswerebeginningtosimmer，andthesnowwasdrippingfromtheroof，asAmoraqmadereadyamealforallthevillage，andtheboy-babyinthehoodchewedatastripofrichnuttyblubber，andthehuntersslowlyandmethodicallyfilledthemselvestotheverybrimwithseal-meat。Kotukoandthegirltoldtheirtale。Thetwodogssatbetweenthem，andwhenevertheirnamescamein，theycockedanearapieceandlookedmostthoroughlyashamedofthemselves。Adogwhohasoncegonemadandrecovered，theInuitsay，issafeagainstallfurtherattacks。

"Sothetornaqdidnotforgetus，"saidKotuko。Thestormblew，theicebroke，andthesealswaminbehindthefishthatwerefrightenedbythestorm。Nowthenewseal-holesarenottwodaysdistant。Letthegoodhuntersgoto-morrowandbringbackthesealIhavespeared——twenty-fivesealburiedintheice。Whenwehaveeatenthosewewillallfollowthesealonthefloe。"

"WhatdoYOUdo？"saidthesorcererinthesamesortofvoiceasheusedtoKadlu，richestoftheTununirmiut。

KadlulookedatthegirlfromtheNorth，andsaidquietly，"WEbuildahouse。"Hepointedtothenorth-westsideofKadlu’shouse，forthatisthesideonwhichthemarriedsonordaughteralwayslives。

Thegirlturnedherhandspalmupward，withalittledespairingshakeofherhead。Shewasaforeigner，pickedupstarving，andcouldbringnothingtothehousekeeping。

Amoraqjumpedfromthebenchwhereshesat，andbegantosweepthingsintothegirl’slap——stonelamps，ironskin-scrapers，tinkettles，deer-skinsembroideredwithmusk-oxteeth，andrealcanvas-needlessuchassailorsuse——thefinestdowrythathaseverbeengivenonthefaredgeoftheArcticCircle，andthegirlfromtheNorthbowedherheaddowntotheveryfloor。

"Alsothese！"saidKotuko，laughingandsigningtothedogs，whothrusttheircoldmuzzlesintothegirl’sface。

"Ah，"saidtheangekok，withanimportantcough，asthoughhehadbeenthinkingitallover。"AssoonasKotukoleftthevillageIwenttotheSinging-Houseandsangmagic。Isangallthelongnights，andcalledupontheSpiritoftheReindeer。

MYsingingmadethegaleblowthatbroketheiceanddrewthetwodogstowardKotukowhentheicewouldhavecrushedhisbones。MYsongdrewthesealinbehindthebrokenice。

Mybodylaystillinthequaggi，butmyspiritranaboutontheice，andguidedKotukoandthedogsinallthethingstheydid。

Ididit。"

Everybodywasfullandsleepy，sonoonecontradicted；andtheangekok，byvirtueofhisoffice，helpedhimselftoyetanotherlumpofboiledmeat，andlaydowntosleepwiththeothersinthewarm，well-lighted，oil-smellinghome……

NowKotuko，whodrewverywellintheInuitfashion，scratchedpicturesofalltheseadventuresonalong，flatpieceofivorywithaholeatoneend。WhenheandthegirlwentnorthtoEllesmereLandintheyearoftheWonderfulOpenWinter，heleftthepicture-storywithKadlu，wholostitintheshinglewhenhisdog-sleighbrokedownonesummeronthebeachofLakeNetillingatNikosiring，andthereaLakeInuitfounditnextspringandsoldittoamanatImigenwhowasinterpreteronaCumberlandSoundwhaler，andhesoldittoHansOlsen，whowasafterwardaquartermasteronboardabigsteamerthattooktouriststotheNorthCapeinNorway。Whenthetouristseasonwasover，thesteamerranbetweenLondonandAustralia，stoppingatCeylon，andthereOlsensoldtheivorytoaCingalesejewellerfortwoimitationsapphires。IfounditundersomerubbishinahouseatColombo，andhavetranslateditfromoneendtotheother。

’ANGUTIVAUNTAINA’

[ThisisaveryfreetranslationoftheSongoftheReturningHunter，asthemenusedtosingitafterseal-spearing。

TheInuitalwaysrepeatthingsoverandoveragain。]

Ourglovesarestiffwiththefrozenblood，Ourfurswiththedriftedsnow，Aswecomeinwiththeseal——theseal！

Infromtheedgeofthefloe。

Aujana！Aua！Oha！Haq！

Andtheyelpingdog-teamsgo，Andthelongwhipscrack，andthemencomeback，Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！

Wetrackedoursealtohissecretplace，Weheardhimscratchbelow，Wemadeourmark，andwewatchedbeside，Outontheedgeofthefloe。

Weraisedourlancewhenherosetobreathe，Wedroveitdownward——so！

Andweplayedhimthus，andwekilledhimthus，Outontheedgeofthefloe。

Ourglovesaregluedwiththefrozenblood，Oureyeswiththedriftingsnow；

Butwecomebacktoourwivesagain，Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！

Aujana！Aua！Oha！Haq！

Andtheloadeddog-teamsgo，Andthewivescanheartheirmencomeback。

Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！

REDDOG

Forourwhiteandourexcellentnights——-forthenightsofswiftrunning。

Fairranging，farseeing，goodhunting，surecunning！

Forthesmellsofthedawning，untainted，eredewhasdeparted！

Fortherushthroughthemist，andthequarryblind-started！

Forthecryofourmateswhenthesambhurhaswheeledandisstandingatbay，Fortheriskandtheriotofnight！

Forthesleepatthelair-mouthbyday，Itismet，andwegotothefight。

Bay！OBay！

ItwasafterthelettinginoftheJunglethatthepleasantestpartofMowgli’slifebegan。Hehadthegoodconsciencethatcomesfrompayingdebts；alltheJunglewashisfriend，andjustalittleafraidofhim。Thethingsthathedidandsawandheardwhenhewaswanderingfromonepeopletoanother，withorwithouthisfourcompanions，wouldmakemanymanystories，eachaslongasthisone。SoyouwillneverbetoldhowhemettheMadElephantofMandla，whokilledtwo-and-twentybullocksdrawingelevencartsofcoinedsilvertotheGovernmentTreasury，andscatteredtheshinyrupeesinthedust；howhefoughtJacala，theCrocodile，allonelongnightintheMarshesoftheNorth，andbrokehisskinning-knifeonthebrute’sback-

plates；howhefoundanewandlongerkniferoundtheneckofamanwhohadbeenkilledbyawildboar，andhowhetrackedthatboarandkilledhimasafairpricefortheknife；howhewascaughtuponceintheGreatFamine，bythemovingofthedeer，andnearlycrushedtodeathintheswayinghotherds；howhesavedHathitheSilentfrombeingoncemoretrappedinapitwithastakeatthebottom，andhow，nextday，hehimselffellintoaverycunningleopard-trap，andhowHathibrokethethickwoodenbarstopiecesabovehim；howhemilkedthewildbuffaloesintheswamp，andhow————

Butwemusttellonetaleatatime。FatherandMotherWolfdied，andMowglirolledabigboulderagainstthemouthoftheircave，andcriedtheDeathSongoverthem；Baloogrewveryoldandstiff，andevenBagheera，whosenervesweresteelandwhosemuscleswereiron，wasashadesloweronthekillthanhehadbeen。Akelaturnedfromgraytomilkywhitewithpureage；

hisribsstuckout，andhewalkedasthoughhehadbeenmadeofwood，andMowglikilledforhim。Buttheyoungwolves，thechildrenofthedisbandedSeeoneePack，throveandincreased，andwhentherewereaboutfortyofthem，masterless，full-voiced，clean-footedfive-year-olds，AkelatoldthemthattheyoughttogatherthemselvestogetherahdfollowtheLaw，andrununderonehead，asbefittedtheFreePeople。

ThiswasnotaquestioninwhichMowgliconcernedhimself，for，ashesaid，hehadeatensourfruit，andheknewthetreeithungfrom；butwhenPhao，sonofPhaona（hisfatherwastheGrayTrackerinthedaysofAkela’sheadship），foughthiswaytotheleadershipofthePack，accordingtotheJungleLaw，andtheoldcallsandsongsbegantoringunderthestarsoncemore，MowglicametotheCouncilRockformemory’ssake。WhenhechosetospeakthePackwaitedtillhehadfinished，andhesatatAkela’ssideontherockabovePhao。Thoseweredaysofgoodhuntingandgoodsleeping。NostrangercaredtobreakintothejunglesthatbelongedtoMowgli’speople，astheycalledthePack，andtheyoungwolvesgrewfatandstrong，andthereweremanycubstobringtotheLooking-over。MowglialwaysattendedaLooking-over，rememberingthenightwhenablackpantherboughtanakedbrownbabyintothepack，andthelongcall，"Look，lookwell，OWolves，"madehisheartflutter。Otherwise，hewouldbefarawayintheJunglewithhisfourbrothers，tasting，touching，seeing，andfeelingnewthings。

OnetwilightwhenhewastrottingleisurelyacrosstherangestogiveAkelathehalfofabuckthathehadkilled，whiletheFourjoggedbehindhim，sparringalittle，andtumblingoneanotheroverforjoyofbeingalive，heheardacrythathadneverbeenheardsincethebaddaysofShereKhan。ItwaswhattheycallintheJunglethepheeal，ahideouskindofshriekthatthejackalgiveswhenheishuntingbehindatiger，orwhenthereisabigkillingafoot。Ifyoucanimagineamixtureofhate，triumph，fear，anddespair，withakindofleerrunningthroughit，youwillgetsomenotionofthepheealthatroseandsankandwaveredandquaveredfarawayacrosstheWaingunga。

TheFourstoppedatonce，bristlingandgrowling。Mowgli’shandwenttohisknife，andhechecked，thebloodinhisface，hiseyebrowsknotted。

"ThereisnoStripedOnedarekillhere，"hesaid。

"ThatisnotthecryoftheForerunner，"answeredGrayBrother。

"Itissomegreatkilling。Listen！"

Itbrokeoutagain，halfsobbingandhalfchuckling，justasthoughthejackalhadsofthumanlips。ThenMowglidrewdeepbreath，andrantotheCouncilRock，overtakingonhiswayhurryingwolvesofthePack。PhaoandAkelawereontheRocktogether，andbelowthem，everynervestrained，sattheothers。

Themothersandthecubswerecanteringofftotheirlairs；

forwhenthepheealcriesitisnotimeforweakthingstobeabroad。

TheycouldhearnothingexcepttheWaingungarushingandgurglinginthedark，andthelighteveningwindsamongthetree-tops，tillsuddenlyacrosstheriverawolfcalled。ItwasnowolfofthePack，fortheywereallattheRock。Thenotechangedtoalong，despairingbay；and"Dhole！"itsaid，"Dhole！

dhole！dhole！"Theyheardtiredfeetontherocks，andagauntwolf，streakedwithredonhisflanks，hisrightfore-pawuseless，andhisjawswhitewithfoam，flunghimselfintothecircleandlaygaspingatMowgli’sfeet。

"Goodhunting！UnderwhoseHeadship？"saidPhaogravely。

"Goodhunting！Won-tollaamI，"wastheanswer。Hemeantthathewasasolitarywolf，fendingforhimself，hismate，andhiscubsinsomelonelylair，asdomanywolvesinthesouth。

Won-tollameansanOutlier——onewholiesoutfromanyPack。

Thenhepanted，andtheycouldseehisheart-beatsshakehimbackwardandforward。

"Whatmoves？"saidPhao，forthatisthequestionalltheJungleasksafterthepheealcries。

"Thedhole，thedholeoftheDekkan——RedDog，theKiller！

TheycamenorthfromthesouthsayingtheDekkanwasemptyandkillingoutbytheway。Whenthismoonwasnewtherewerefourtome——mymateandthreecubs。Shewouldteachthemtokillonthegrassplains，hidingtodrivethebuck，aswedowhoareoftheopen。AtmidnightIheardthemtogether，fulltongueonthetrail。Atthedawn-windIfoundthemstiffinthegrass——four，FreePeople，fourwhenthismoonwasnew。ThensoughtImyBlood-Rightandfoundthedhole。"

"Howmany？"saidMowgliquickly；thePackgrowleddeepintheirthroats。

"Idonotknow。Threeofthemwillkillnomore，butatthelasttheydrovemelikethebuck；onmythreelegstheydroveme。

Look，FreePeople！"

Hethrustouthismangledfore-foot，alldarkwithdriedblood。

Therewerecruelbiteslowdownonhisside，andhisthroatwastornandworried。

"Eat，"saidAkela，risingupfromthemeatMowglihadbroughthim，andtheOutlierflunghimselfonit。

"Thisshallbenoloss，"hesaidhumbly，whenhehadtakenoffthefirstedgeofhishunger。"Givemealittlestrength，FreePeople，andIalsowillkill。Mylairisemptythatwasfullwhenthismoonwasnew，andtheBloodDebtisnotallpaid。"

Phaoheardhisteethcrackonahaunch-boneandgruntedapprovingly。

"Weshallneedthosejaws，"saidhe。"Weretherecubswiththedhole？"

"Nay，nay。RedHuntersall：growndogsoftheirPack，heavyandstrongforallthattheyeatlizardsintheDekkan。"

WhatWon-tollahadsaidmeantthatthedhole，theredhunting-

dogoftheDekkan，wasmovingtokill，andthePackknewwellthateventhetigerwillsurrenderanewkilltothedhole。

TheydrivestraightthroughtheJungle，andwhattheymeettheypulldownandteartopieces。Thoughtheyarenotasbignorhalfascunningasthewolf，theyareverystrongandverynumerous。Thedhole，forinstance，donotbegintocallthemselvesapacktilltheyareahundredstrong；whereasfortywolvesmakeaveryfairpackindeed。Mowgli’swanderingshadtakenhimtotheedgeofthehighgrassydownsoftheDekkan，andhehadseenthefearlessdholessleepingandplayingandscratchingthemselvesinthelittlehollowsandtussocksthattheyuseforlairs。HedespisedandhatedthembecausetheydidnotsmellliketheFreePeople，becausetheydidnotliveincaves，and，aboveall，becausetheyhadhairbetweentheirtoeswhileheandhisfriendswereclean-footed。Butheknew，forHathihadtoldhim，whataterriblethingadholehunting-packwas。EvenHathimovesasidefromtheirline，anduntiltheyarekilled，ortillgameisscarce，theywillgoforward。

Akelaknewsomethingofthedholes，too，forhesaidtoMowgliquietly，"ItisbettertodieinaFullPackthanleaderlessandalone。Thisisgoodhunting，and——mylast。But，asmenlive，thouhastverymanymorenightsanddays，LittleBrother。

Gonorthandliedown，andifanyliveafterthedholehasgonebyheshallbringtheewordofthefight。"

"Ah，"saidMowgli，quitegravely，"mustIgotothemarshesandcatchlittlefishandsleepinatree，ormustIaskhelpoftheBandar-logandcracknuts，whilethePackfightbelow？"

"Itistothedeath，"saidAkela。"Thouhastnevermetthedhole——theRedKiller。EventheStripedOne————"

"Aowa！Aowa！"saidMowglipettingly。"Ihavekilledonestripedape，andsureamIinmystomachthatShereKhanwouldhavelefthisownmateformeattothedholeifhehadwindedapackacrossthreeranges。Listennow：Therewasawolf，myfather，andtherewasawolf，mymother，andtherewasanoldgraywolf（nottoowise：heiswhitenow）wasmyfatherandmymother。

ThereforeI——"heraisedhisvoice，"Isaythatwhenthedholecome，andifthedholecome，MowgliandtheFreePeopleareofoneskinforthathunting；andIsay，bytheBullthatboughtme——bytheBullBagheerapaidformeintheolddayswhichyeofthePackdonotremember——_I_say，thattheTreesandtheRivermayhearandholdfastifIforget；_I_saythatthismyknifeshallbeasatoothtothePack——andIdonotthinkitissoblunt。ThisismyWordwhichhasgonefromme。"

"Thoudostnotknowthedhole，manwithawolf’stongue，"saidWon-tolla。"IlookonlytocleartheBloodDebtagainstthemeretheyhavemeinmanypieces。Theymoveslowly，killingoutastheygo，butintwodaysalittlestrengthwillcomebacktomeandIturnagainfortheBloodDebt。ButforYE，FreePeople，mywordisthatyegonorthandeatbutlittleforawhiletillthedholearegone。Thereisnomeatinthishunting。"

"HeartheOutlier！"saidMowgliwithalaugh。FreePeople，wemustgonorthanddiglizardsandratsfromthebank，lestbyanychancewemeetthedhole。Hemustkilloutourhunting-

grounds，whileweliehidinthenorthtillitpleasehimtogiveusourownagain。Heisadog——andthepupofadog——red，yellow-bellied，lairless，andhairedbetweeneverytoe！

Hecountshiscubssixandeightatthelitter，asthoughhewereChikai，thelittleleapingrat。Surelywemustrunaway，FreePeople，andbegleaveofthepeoplesofthenorthfortheoffalofdeadcattle！Yeknowthesaying：’Northarethevermin；

southarethelice。WEaretheJungle。’Chooseye，Ochoose。

Itisgoodhunting！ForthePack——fortheFullPack——forthelairandthelitter；forthein-killandtheout-kill；forthematethatdrivesthedoeandthelittle，littlecubwithinthecave；itismet！——itismet！——itismet！"

ThePackansweredwithonedeep，crashingbarkthatsoundedinthenightlikeabigtreefalling。"Itismet！"theycried。

"Staywiththese，"saidMowglitotheFour。Weshallneedeverytooth。PhaoandAkelamustmakereadythebattle。Igotocountthedogs。"

"Itisdeath！"Won-tollacried，halfrising。WhatcansuchahairlessonedoagainsttheRedDog？EventheStripedOne，remember————"

"ThouartindeedanOutlier，"Mowglicalledback；"butwewillspeakwhenthedholesaredead。Goodhuntingall！"

Hehurriedoffintothedarkness，wildwithexcitement，hardlylookingwherehesetfoot，andthenaturalconsequencewasthathetrippedfulllengthoverKaa’sgreatcoilswherethepythonlaywatchingadeer-pathneartheriver。

"Kssha！"saidKaaangrily。"Isthisjungle-work，tostampandtrampandundoanight’shunting——whenthegamearemovingsowell，too？"

"Thefaultwasmine，"saidMowgli，pickinghimselfup。"IndeedIwasseekingthee，Flathead，buteachtimewemeetthouartlongerandbroaderbythelengthofmyarm。ThereisnoneliketheeintheJungle，wise，old，strong，andmostbeautifulKaa。"

"NowwhitherdoesTHIStraillead？"Kaa’svoicewasgentler。

"NotamoonsincetherewasaManlingwithaknifethrewstonesatmyheadandcalledmebadlittletree-catnames，becauseI

layasleepintheopen。"

"Ay，andturnedeverydrivendeertoallthewinds，andMowgliwashunting，andthissameFlatheadwastoodeaftohearhiswhistle，andleavethedeer-roadsfree，"Mowgliansweredcomposedly，sittingdownamongthepaintedcoils。

"NowthissameManlingcomeswithsoft，ticklingwordstothissameFlathead，tellinghimthatheiswiseandstrongandbeautiful，andthissameoldFlatheadbelievesandmakesaplace，thus，forthissamestone-throwingManling，and——Artthouateasenow？CouldBagheeragivetheesogoodaresting-place？"

Kaahad，asusual，madeasortofsofthalf-hammockofhimselfunderMowgli’sweight。Theboyreachedoutinthedarkness，andgatheredinthesupplecable-likenecktillKaa’sheadrestedonhisshoulder，andthenhetoldhimallthathadhappenedintheJunglethatnight。

"WiseImaybe，"saidKaaattheend；"butdeafIsurelyam。

ElseIshouldhaveheardthepheeal。SmallwondertheEatersofGrassareuneasy。Howmanybethedhole？"

"Ihavenotyetseen。Icamehot-foottothee。ThouartolderthanHathi。Butoh，Kaa，"——hereMowgliwriggledwithsheerjoy，——

"itwillbegoodhunting。Fewofuswillseeanothermoon。"

"DostTHOUstrikeinthis？RememberthouartaMan；andrememberwhatPackcasttheeout。LettheWolflooktotheDog。THOUartaMan。"

"Lastyear’snutsarethisyear’sblackearth，"saidMowgli。

"ItistruethatIamaMan，butitisinmystomachthatthisnightIhavesaidthatIamaWolf。IcalledtheRiverandtheTreestoremember。IamoftheFreePeople，Kaa，tillthedholehasgoneby。"

"FreePeople，"Kaagrunted。"Freethieves！Andthouhasttiedthyselfintothedeath-knotforthesakeofthememoryofthedeadwolves？Thisisnogoodhunting。"

"ItismyWordwhichIhavespoken。TheTreesknow，theRiverknows。TillthedholehavegonebymyWordcomesnotbacktome。"

"Ngssh！Thischangesalltrails。Ihadthoughttotaketheeawaywithmetothenorthernmarshes，buttheWord——eventheWordofalittle，naked，hairlessManling——istheWord。

NowI，Kaa，say————"

"Thinkwell，Flathead，lestthoutiethyselfintothedeath-knotalso。IneednoWordfromthee，forwellIknow————"

"Beitso，then，"saidKaa。"IwillgivenoWord；butwhatisinthystomachtodowhenthedholecome？"

"TheymustswimtheWaingunga。Ithoughttomeetthemwithmyknifeintheshallows，thePackbehindme；andsostabbingandthrusting，wealittlemightturnthemdown-stream，orcooltheirthroats。"

"Thedholedonotturnandtheirthroatsarehot，"saidKaa。

"TherewillbeneitherManlingnorWolf-cubwhenthathuntingisdone，butonlydrybones。"

"Alala！Ifwedie，wedie。Itwillbemostgoodhunting。Butmystomachisyoung，andIhavenotseenmanyRains。Iamnotwisenorstrong。Hastthouabetterplan，Kaa？"

"IhaveseenahundredandahundredRains。EreHathicasthismilk-tushesmytrailwasbiginthedust。BytheFirstEgg，Iamolderthanmanytrees，andIhaveseenallthattheJunglehasdone。"

"ButTHISisnewhunting，"saidMowgli。"Neverbeforehavethedholecrossedourtrail。"

"Whatishasbeen。Whatwillbeisnomorethanaforgottenyearstrikingbackward。BestillwhileIcountthosemyyears。"

ForalonghourMowglilaybackamongthecoils，whileKaa，hisheadmotionlessontheground，thoughtofallthathehadseenandknownsincethedayhecamefromtheegg。Thelightseemedtogooutofhiseyesandleavethemlikestaleopals，andnowandagainhemadelittlestiffpasseswithhishead，rightandleft，asthoughhewerehuntinginhissleep。

Mowglidozedquietly，forheknewthatthereisnothinglikesleepbeforehunting，andhewastrainedtotakeitatanyhourofthedayornight。

ThenhefeltKaa’sbackgrowbiggerandbroaderbelowhimasthehugepythonpuffedhimselfout，hissingwiththenoiseofasworddrawnfromasteelscabbard。

"Ihaveseenallthedeadseasons，"Kaasaidatlast，"andthegreattreesandtheoldelephants，andtherocksthatwerebareandsharp-pointederethemossgrew。ArtTHOUstillalive，Manling？"

"Itisonlyalittleaftermoonset，"saidMowgli。Idonotunderstand————"

"Hssh！IamagainKaa。Iknewitwasbutalittletime。Nowwewillgototheriver，andIwillshowtheewhatistobedoneagainstthedhole。"

Heturned，straightasanarrow，forthemainstreamoftheWaingunga，plunginginalittleabovethepoolthathidthePeaceRock，Mowgliathisside。

"Nay，donotswim。Igoswiftly。Myback，LittleBrother。"

MowglituckedhisleftarmroundKaa’sneck，droppedhisrightclosetohisbody，andstraightenedhisfeet。ThenKaabreastedthecurrentashealonecould，andtherippleofthecheckedwaterstoodupinafrillroundMowgli’sneck，andhisfeetwerewavedtoandfrointheeddyunderthepython’slashingsides。

AmileortwoabovethePeaceRocktheWaingunganarrowsbetweenagorgeofmarblerocksfromeightytoahundredfeethigh，andthecurrentrunslikeamill-racebetweenandoverallmannerofuglystones。ButMowglididnottroublehisheadaboutthewater；littlewaterintheworldcouldhavegivenhimamoment’sfear。Hewaslookingatthegorgeoneithersideandsniffinguneasily，fortherewasasweetish-sourishsmellintheair，verylikethesmellofabigant-hillonahotday。

Instinctivelyheloweredhimselfinthewater，onlyraisinghisheadtobreathefromtimetotime，andKaacametoanchorwithadoubletwistofhistailroundasunkenrock，holdingMowgliinthehollowofacoil，whilethewaterracedon。

"ThisisthePlaceofDeath，"saidtheboy。"Whydowecomehere？"

"Theysleep，"saidKaa。"HathiwillnotturnasidefortheStripedOne。YetHathiandtheStripedOnetogetherturnasideforthedhole，andthedholetheysayturnasidefornothing。

AndyetforwhomdotheLittlePeopleoftheRocksturnaside？

Tellme，MasteroftheJungle，whoistheMasteroftheJungle？"

"These，"Mowgliwhispered。"ItisthePlaceofDeath。