to lead my steps. Without his Tornak an Angakok can do nothing.
The Tornak came at once in answer to my call. He took me by the
hand, and we plunged down into the water. First we passed through
the beautiful World of Spirits, where it is always summer. This
part of the way was quite pleasant, but on the farther side of
that world we came to a fearful abyss. It could be crossed only
on a large slippery wheel, as slippery as ice."

"I mounted this wheel and was whirled across the chasm. No sooner
had I reached the other side than new terrors came upon me. I had
to pass by great cauldrons of boiling oil, in which seals were
swimming about."

"A misstep would have sent me plunging into the boiling oil, and
you would have lost your Angakok forever!"

The thought of this was so dreadful that the Angakok paused and
wiped his eyes. Then he went on again with his story.

"However, with great courage I kept upon my way until at last I
saw the Old Woman's house! A deep gulf lay between us and her
dwelling, and outside it stood a great dog with bloody jaws. This
dog guards the entrance, and he sleeps only for a single moment,
once in a very great while."

"For six days I and my Tornak waited there for the dog to sleep.
At last on the seventh day he closed his eyes! Instantly the
Tornak seized my hand and drew me across the bridge which spanned
the chasm. This bridge was as narrow as a single thread."