Ermigit, meanwhile, had made for the shore, got a lance thrown to him by the excited Okiok, received an encouraging nod from Rooney with an English recommendation to go it,鈥� and was off again to render aid. And not a moment too soon did that aid come, for, contrary to usual experience, that seal鈥攊nstead of diving, and giving them an hour鈥檚 hot pursuit鈥攎ade a furious assault on Norrak. Probably the spear had touched it in a tender spot. At all events the creature鈥檚 ire was roused to such an extent that when it reached him it seized the kayak and tore a large hole in it. Down went the bow, as a matter of course, and up went the stern. Norrak hastily disengaged himself, so as to be ready to spring clear of the sinking wreck, and was on the point of jumping out when his brother鈥檚 kayak shot past him, and Ermigit sent a spear deep into the vitals of the seal鈥攕o deep, indeed, that it turned over and died without a groan.

As she spoke she seized the heavy Eskimo whip out of Nunaga鈥檚 hand, and brought it smartly down on the backs of the whole team, which started off with a yelp, and also with a bound that well-nigh left Tumbler and Pussi behind. But she was not quick enough for Ujarak, who exclaimed with a laugh, as he leaped on to the sledge and assumed the place of driver鈥�

What has happened?鈥� asked Kabelaw, in a dazed manner, as she looked at the blood which flowed from her wound.