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