I wish I had been there, growled Ondikik.
Im glad I was not there, returned Gartok. I could not have saved him from so many, and it would not have been pleasant to go into slaveryif not to torture and death. Poor Cheenbuk! he was ever against waryet war has been forced on him. I fear we shall never see him again. Hoi! my leg is bad. I cant understand how the Fire-spouters could hit it without the little thing going through my back first.
I wish all the Fire-spouters were deep in the inside of a whales belly, growled Ondikik, whose wound was beginning to render him feverish and rusty. Arrows and spears can be pulled out, but when the little spouter things go in we dont know where they go to. They disappear and leave an ugly hole behind them.
At this point Raventik, on whom the command had devolved, came forward with a choice piece of juicy walrus blubber on a flat stone for a plate.
Our chiefs will eat, he said, it will do them goodmake their hearts strong and ease the wounds.
No, said Gartok decisively, none for me.
Take it away! cried the other sharply.
No? exclaimed Raventik in surprise. You see, he had never in his life been wounded or ill, and could not understand the possibility of refusing food, except when too full of it. Being a sympathetic soul, however, he pressed it on the invalids, but received replies so very discouraging that he was induced to forbear.
Old Uleeta turned out to be a more intelligent, it not more kindly, nurse. After she had eaten her supper and succeeded in bolting the last bite that had refused to go down when she could eat no more, she came forward with a bladder full of water, and some rabbit-skins, for the purpose of dressing the wounds.
Gently, mother, said Gartok with a suppressed groan, you lay hold of me as if I were a seal.
You are quite as self-willed, my son, replied the old woman. If you had not gone out to fight you would not have come back with a hole in your leg.
If I had not come into the world I should not have been here to trouble you, mother.
Theres truth in that, my son, returned the woman, as if the idea were new to her.
At this Ondikik groanedwhether at the contemptibly obvious character of the idea, or at ideas in general, or in consequence of pain, we cannot tell.
You said, mother, that Cheenbuk gave them a good deal of trouble?
Ay, he gave them sore hearts and sore bodies.
They deserved it! what right had they to come with their fire-spouters to attack us?
What right had you to go without your fire-spouters to attack them? demanded old Uleeta, somewhat maliciously.
Gartok, who was destitute neither of intelligence nor of humour, laughed, but the laugh slid into a most emphatic hoi! as his mother gave the leg a wrench.
Softly, mother, softly! Treat me as you did when I was so big, he exclaimed, indicating about one foot six between his hands.
The old woman chuckled, or rather hee! heed! a little and continued:
Yes, Cheenbuk fought like a bear. We could not see him, for they were all on top of him at once, but hi! how he made them heave! I wonder they did not use their knives.
They felt sure they had him, said her son, they wanted to drive him to their huts and kill him slowly to amuse their women.
This was such a horrible idea that the old woman became unusually grave.
These Fire-spouters are worse than white bears, she said, for these never torture other beasts, though they often kill them.
True, mother. Now I wish you would go away and leave my leg alone. Ondikik there needs your help. Go to him and hurt him as much as you please. I wont grumble.
You were always a thankless boyever since you could speak, replied the dame, reproachfully.
Did you ever hear of any one being thankless before he could speak?hoi! mother, youve tied it too tight. Slack it a little.
After complying with her sons request, old Uleeta went to Ondikik, to whom, however, she could render but little service, owing to the nature of his wound. Then she paid a visit to Rinka, whose injuries, however, proved to be more alarming than severe; after which she joined the rest of the tribe at supper.
While the Eskimos were thus proceeding to their home among the islands of the Arctic sea, the captors of Cheenbuk were paddling up-stream to the lands of the Dogrib Indians.
At first the stout Eskimo meditated an attempt to escape. Indeed he made one vigorous effort when they were leading him through the bush with his hands tied behind him. Just as they came to the place where the canoes were lying, the thought of home, and of his probable fate as a prisoner, pressed so heavily on him that he suddenly became furious, tripped up the man beside him with his foot, kicked over the one behind him with his heel, ran his head like a battering-ram into the back of the man in front of him, and then strove to burst his bonds with a succession of mighty wriggles, but, not being quite equal to Samson, he failed, and on seeing that two savages stood over him with drawn scalping-knives, while Magadar put the muzzle of a gun to his head, he deemed it wise to give in and uttered the exclamation hoi! with the air of one who feels that his game is played out. He marched forward after that in submissive silence.
On reaching the canoes, however, a fresh burst of indignation assailed him, and for a moment he meditated sending his foot through the bottom of the frail craft which was to carry him into exile, but on second thoughts he decided to delay the performance of that violent measure till they were well out in the middle of the current, when there would be the chance of drowning some of his foes as well as himself. By the time the desired position was reached, however, his spirit had calmed down a little and his philosophic mindto say nothing of his hearthad begun to suggest the uselessness of gratifying his feelings by a revenge which he probably could not enjoy much while in the process of drowning, and, doubtless, could not enjoy at all after he was drowned.
Thus it came to pass that our hero restrained his passions, and, in process of time, found himself a prisoner in one of the lodges of the Dogrib Indians.
Chapter Eight.
In the Hour of Need
On reaching the Indian village Cheenbuk was firmly bound to a tree a little way outside the camp, and left there to his meditations, while his captors went to the old chiefs tent to hold a council.
Meanwhile the women and children went to look at the captive. Among them were Adolay and her mother. The moment the former set eyes on Cheenbuk she recognised him as the youth who had rescued her mother from drowning the previous year.
Mother, she whispered, drawing her parent aside, that is him! Dont you remember him?
I think it is, returned Isquay, gazing steadily at the Eskimo, who looked at the crowd which surrounded him with a gaze of supreme contempt, though he did not by any means feel contemptuous.
Come, mother, said Adolay, with sudden earnestness, he has not recognised us in the crowd. I must go and find out what the braves are palavering.
As she spoke she drew her mother towards their own lodge, and there left her while she hurried on to the council-tent. In the shelter of some bushes she crept as near to it as possible.
There was no difficulty in making out what was said, for the warriors made no secret of their intentions, and spoke in loud tones.
He shall die, was the remark of Alizay just as the girl came within hearing, he has killed one of our braves.
There was no difficulty in making out what was said, for the warriors made no secret of their intentions, and spoke in loud tones.
He shall die, was the remark of Alizay just as the girl came within hearing, he has killed one of our braves.
Ay, and he shall die by torture, said Magadar, who was a relation of the man that had been slain.
Ho! ho! exclaimed most of the warriors in tones of approval, but there were a few among them who were silent. They leaned to mercys side.
Better to spare his life and make a slave of him, said one of these, we can keep him always tied like a bad dog till we need him; then we can loose his legs and make him drag our sledges.
The brave who has spoken is young, said the old chief. He does not know much about men. Will not the Eskimo watch for his chance, get free from his bonds, kill some of us when we are off our guard, and, perhaps, escape?
That is so. He must be killed, remarked Magadar, with a glance of scorn at the merciful youth, and the sooner the better.
Let us do it at once, said one of the blood-thirsty.
On hearing this the heart of Adolay beat anxiously, and for a few moments she was undecided whether to run to the tree to which the Eskimo was bound and set him free by cutting his bonds, or enter the council-tent, tell the story of his having saved her mothers life, and plead that the youths might be spared. Both courses, she knew, were about equally desperate. If she were to follow the first, all the children would see her do it, and give the alarm, in which case the Eskimo would be pursued and certainly recaptured, for a fugitive in a strange country would have no chance with men well acquainted with every nook and corner of their native land. Besides which, she knew not what terrible punishment might be inflicted on herself for making such an attempt. On the other hand, for a woman to violate the sanctity of a council-tent was so unprecedented that she felt sure it would be sternly resented, and, therefore, useless.
Fortunately she was saved the necessity of acting on either alternative by the arguments of the next speaker, who was one of the blood-thirsty braves.
Let us not be in haste like women and children, he said; if we leave him bound to the tree all night he will have time to think of the fate that is coming, and we shall have good sunlight in the morning, which will enable even the oldest squaw to see well.
After some palaver it was agreed that the execution of Cheenbuk should be postponed to the following day, and that a sentinel should be posted beside him during the night to make sure that he did not manage to undo his fastenings and escape.
On hearing this decision arrived at, Adolay crept back into the bush and hastened to her mothers tent.
They have fixed to kill him, mother, she exclaimed, anxiously, on entering.
I expected that, and Im sorry, returned Isquay, but we cannot help it. What can women do? The men will not mind what I say. If only Nazinred was here they would listen to him, but
Yes, they always listen to father, interrupted the girl, with an anxious frown on her pretty brows, but as father is not here you must do what you can for the man.
You are very fond of him! said the squaw with a keen look at her daughter.
Yes, I am very fond of him, replied Adolay with an air of unblushing candour, and I think, mother, that you should be fond of him too.
So I am, girl, so I am, but what can I do?
You can go and tell the story to the old chief. He is not hard, like some of the young men. Perhaps he may help us.
Isquay shook her head, but nevertheless agreed to try her influence with the old man, and went out for that purpose.
Meanwhile Adolay, who had not herself much faith in her mothers advocacy of the poor Eskimos cause, resolved upon a separate course of action. Throwing a blanket over her head and shoulders, she started for the place where Cheenbuk stood, scornfully regarding the little boys who surrounded and insulted him by flourishing knives and hatchets close to his defenceless nose. They did not, however, dare to touch him, as the time had not yet arrived for actual torture.
Running forward, Adolay, who was a favourite with the young people, drove them back.
Keep clear of him, she cried with a fierce glare in her eyeswhich was wonderfully realistic, considering that it was a mere piece of actingI want to speak to himto terrify himto fill him with horror!
This was quite to the taste of the wretched little creatures, who fell back in a semi-circle and waited for more.
Can you understand my speech? she demanded as she turned on Cheenbuk with flashing eyes.
The Eskimo thought he had never seen such magnificent eyes before, and wished much that they would look on him more kindly.
Yes, he replied, I understand a little.
Listen, then, cried Adolay in a loud tone, and with looks more furious than before. You are to die to-morrow.
I expected it would be to-night, replied Cheenbuk calmly.
And you are to be tortured to death! At this the boys set up a howl of delight. At the same time the girl advanced a step nearer the captive, and said in a low voice hurriedly:
I will save you. Be ready to actto-night. The softened look and altered tone opened the eyes of the captive. Although the blanket partially concealed Adolays face, Cheenbuk at once recognised the girl whose mother he had saved the previous spring.
I am awake! he said quietly, but with a glance of bright intelligence.
Yes, you are doomed to die, continued Adolay, when the boys howling had subsided, and if you are to be tortured, we will all come to see how brave you are.
As she said this she went close up to the captive, as if to make her words more emphatic, and shook her little fist in his face. Thenin a low voiceYou see the cliff behind me, with the dead tree below it?
Yes.
Run for that tree when you are freeand wait.
Turning round, as though her rage was satisfied for the time being, Adolay left the spot with a dark frown on her face.
Leave him now, boys, she said in passing. Give him time to think about to-morrow.
Whether it was the effect of this advice, or the fact that the shades of evening were falling, and a feeding-time was at hand, we cannot say, but in a short time Cheenbuk was left to his meditations. He was, however, quite within sight of several of the lodges. As the daylight gradually faded a young brave left his tent, and, shouldering his gun, went to the place where the captive was bound. Examining the bonds to make sure that they were secure, the youth carefully renewed the priming of his weapon, shouldered it, and began to pace to and fro. His mode of proceeding was to walk up to the captive, take a look at him, turn round, and walk about thirty or forty yards away from him, and so on to and fro without halt or variation for upwards of two hours. During all that time he uttered no word to the Eskimo.
Cheenbuk, on his part, took no notice whatever of his guard, but stood perfectly still and looked with calm, lofty indifference over his headwhich he was well able to do, being a considerably taller man.
As the night advanced the darkness deepened, and the poor captive began to entertain serious misgivings as to his prospects. Would the girl try to carry out the plan, whatever it was? Yes, he had not the slightest doubt on that head, because, somehow, she had inspired him with a confidence that he had never felt in woman before. But would she be able to carry out her plan? That was quite another question. Then, the darkness had become so intense that he could barely see the outline of the cliff towards which he was to run, and could not see the dead tree at all. Moreover, it occurred to him that it would be impossible even to walk, much less to run, over unknown and perhaps rough ground in darkness so great that he could hardly see the trees around him; and could only make out the whites of the sentinels eyes when he came close up.