Red Rooney: The Last of the Crew

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

  SOLEMN AND MYSTERIOUS DOINGS ARE BROUGHT TO A VIOLENT CLOSE.

  Angut was seated at the further end of his abode when his friendentered, apparently absorbed in contemplation of that remarkablespecimen of Eskimo longevity, the grandmother of Okiok.

  "I have often wondered," said Angut, as the seaman sat down beside him,"at the contentment and good-humour and cheerfulness, sometimes runninginto fun, of that poor old woman Kannoa."

  "Speak lower," said Rooney in a soft voice; "she will hear you."

  "If she does, she will hear no evil. But she is nearly deaf, and takesno notice."

  "It may be so; poor thing!" returned the sailor in a tender tone, as helooked at the shrivelled-up old creature, who was moving actively roundthe never-idle lamp, and bending with inquiring interest over theearthen pot, which seemed to engross her entire being. "But why do youwonder?"

  "I wonder because she has so little to make her contented, and so muchto ruin her good-humour and cheerfulness, and to stop her fun. Her lifeis a hard one. She has few relations to care for her. She is very old,and must soon grow feeble, and then--"

  "And then?" said Rooney, as the other paused.

  "Then she knows not what follows death--who does know?--and she does notbelieve in the nonsense that our people invent. It is a great mystery."

  The Eskimo said the last words in a low voice and with a wistful gaze,as if he were rather communing with himself than conversing with hisfriend. Rooney felt perplexed. The thoughts of Angut were often tooprofound for him. Not knowing what to say, he changed the subject bymentioning the object of his visit.

  At once Angut turned, and gave undivided attention to the subject, whilethe seaman described his recent conversation with Okiok. As heconcluded, a peculiar look flitted across Angut's countenance.

  "I guess his reason," he said.

  "Yes; what may it be, think you?"

  "He fears to meet Okiok in a singing duel."

  Rooney laughed. "Well, you know best," he said; "I daresay you areright. Okiok is a sharp fellow, and Ujarak is but a blundering boobyafter--"

  A low chuckle in the region of the lamp attracted their attention atthis point. They looked quickly at Kannoa, but that ancient's face wasabsolutely owlish in its gravity, and her little black eyes peered intoher pot with a look of intense inquiry that was almost philosophic.Resuming their belief that she was as deaf as a post, or an iceberg,Rooney and Angut proceeded to discuss Ujarak and his probable planswithout any regard to her. After having talked the matter over for sometime, Angut shook his head, and said that Ujarak must be closelywatched.

  "More than that," said Rooney, with decision; "he must be stultified."

  The seaman's rendering of the word "stultified" into Eskimo was curious,and cannot easily be explained, but it was well understood by Angut, andapparently by Kannoa, for another chuckle came just then from theculinary department. Again the two men glanced at the old womaninquiringly, and again were they baffled by that look of owlishintensity at the stewing meat.

  "She hears," whispered Rooney.

  "Impossible," replied Angut; "a dead seal is not much deafer."

  Continuing the conversation, the seaman explained how he thought itpossible to stultify the wizard, by discrediting him in the eyes of hisown people--by foiling him with his own weapons,--and himself undertookto accomplish the task of stultification.

  He was in the act of concluding his explanation when another chuckleburst upon them from the region of the lamp. This time there was noattempt at concealment, for there stood old Kannoa, partly enveloped insavoury steam, her head thrown back, and her mouth wide-open.

  With a laugh Rooney leaped up, and caught her by the arm.

  "You've heard what I've been saying, mother?"

  "Ye-yes. I've heard," she replied, trying to smother the laughter.

  "Now, look here. You must promise me not to tell _anybody_," said theseaman earnestly, almost sternly.

  "Oh, I not tell," returned the old woman; "I love not Ujarak."

  "Ah! just so; then you're pretty safe not to tell," said Rooney.

  "No fear of Kannoa," remarked Angut, with a pleasant nod; "she nevertells anything to anybody."

  Satisfied, apparently, with this assurance, the seaman took the oldwoman into his counsels, congratulating himself not a little on havingfound an ally in the very hut in which it had been arranged that themysterious performance was to take place. Shortly after that Angutleft.

  "Now, Kannoa," said Rooney, after some preliminary talk, "you rememberthe big white bear that Angut killed two moons ago?"

  "Remember it? Ay," said Kannoa, licking her lips; "it was the fattestand best bear I ever chewed. Huk! it _was_ good!"

  "Well, where is that bear's skin?"

  The old dame pointed to a corner of the hut where the skin lay. Rooneywent and picked it up, and laid it at the upper end of the hut farthestfrom the door.

  "Now, mother," said he; "you'll not touch that skin. Let it lie there,and let no one touch it till I come again. You understand?"

  "Yes," answered Kannoa, with a look so intensely knowing that it madethe seaman laugh.

  "But tell me," said the old woman, becoming suddenly grave, and layingher thin scraggy hand on the man's arm; "why do you call me mother?"

  "Oh, it's just a way we have in my country when--when we feel kindly toan old woman. And I do feel kindly to you, Kannoa," he added, withsudden warmth and energy of look and tone, "because you are so like myown grandmother--only she was younger than you, and muchbetter-looking."

  Rooney meant no rudeness by the last remark, but, having observed thestraightforward simplicity of his new friends in saying exactly whatthey meant, he willingly adopted their style.

  Kannoa seemed much pleased with the explanation.

  "It is strange," she said pathetically, "that I should find you so verylike my husband."

  "Indeed!" returned the seaman, who did not feel flattered by thecompliment; "is it long since he died?"

  "O yes; long, long--very long," she answered, with a sigh. "Moons,moons, moons without number have passed since that day. He was as youngas you when he was killed, but a far finer man. His face did not lookdirty like yours--all over with hair. It was smooth and fat, and roundand oily. His cheeks were plump, and they would shine when the sun wasup. He was also bigger than you--higher and wider. Huk! he was grand!"

  Although Rooney felt inclined to laugh as he listened to thisdescription, he restrained himself when he observed the tears gatheringin the old eyes. Observing and appreciating the look of sympathy, shetightened her clutch on the seaman's arm and said, looking wistfully upin his face--

  "Has Ridroonee ever felt something in here,"--she laid a hand on herwithered bosom--"as if it broke in two, and then went dead for evermore?That is what I felt the day they brought my man home; he was so kind.Like my son Okiok, and Angut."

  As the seaman looked down at the pitiful old soul that had thus brokenthe floodgates of a long silence, and was pouring out her confidences tohim, he felt an unusual lump in his throat. Under a sudden impulse, hestooped and kissed the wrinkled brow, and then, turning abruptly, leftthe hut.

  It was well he did so, for by that time it was nearly dark, and Kannoahad yet to arrange the place for the expected meeting.

  As the time drew near, the night seemed to sympathise with the occasion,for the sky became overcast with clouds, which obliterated the stars,and rendered it intensely dark.

  The chief performer in the approaching ceremony was in a fearful stateof mind. He would have done or given anything to escape being made awise man. But Ujarak was inexorable. Poor Ippegoo sought comfort fromhis mother, and, to say truth, Kunelik did her best for him, but shecould not resist the decrees of Fate--i.e. of the wizard.

  "Be a man, my son, and all will go well," she said, as he sat beside herin her hut, with his chin on his breast and his thin hands clasped.

  "O mother, I _am_
such a fool! He might let me off. I'll be disgracedforever."

  "Not you, Ippe; you're not half such a fool as he is. Just go boldly,and do your best. Look as fierce and wild as you can, and make awfulfaces. There's nothing like frightening people! Howl as much aspossible, and gasp sometimes. I have seen a good deal done in that way.I only wish they would try to make an angekok of _me_. I wouldastonish them."

  The plucky little woman had to stop here for a moment to chuckle at herown conceit, but her poor son did not respond. He had got far beyondthe point where a perception of the ludicrous is possible.

  "But it is time to go now, my son. Don't forget your drum and theface-making. You know what you've got to do?"

  "Yes, yes, I know," said Ippegoo, looking anxiously over his shoulder,as if he half expected to see a torngak already approaching him; "I knowonly too well what I've got to do. Ujarak has been stuffing it into methe whole day till my brain feels ready to burst."

  The bitter tone in which the poor youth pronounced his master's namesuggested to his mother that it would not require much more to make theworm turn upon its tormentor. But the time had arrived to send him off,so she was obliged to bring her questions and advices to an abruptclose.

  As Ippegoo walked towards the dreaded hut, he was conscious of manyglaring eyes and whispered words around him. This happily had theeffect of stirring up his pride, and made him resolve to strive to dohis part creditably.

  At the door of the hut two dark figures glided swiftly in before him.One he could perceive was Angut; the other he thought looked very likethe Kablunet "Ridroonee." The thought gave him some comfort--not much,indeed, but anything that distracted his mind for an instant from thebusiness in hand afforded him comfort.

  He now braced himself desperately to the work. Seizing the drum whichhe had been told not to forget, he struck it several times, and began totwist his body about violently. There was just light enough to show toonlookers that the poor youth was whirling himself round in contortionsof the most surprising kind. This he did for the purpose of workinghimself up to the proper pitch of enthusiasm.

  There seems little doubt that the mere exertion of great musculareffort, coupled with a resolute wish and intention to succeed in someobject, has a powerful tendency to brace the energies of the human mind.Ippegoo had not contorted himself and beaten his drum for many minuteswhen his feeling of warmth and physical power began to increase. Thefeeling seemed to break on his mind as a revelation.

  "Ho!" he thought, "here it comes; it comes at last! Ujarak told thetruth--I am becoming one of the wise men."

  So delighted was the poor fellow with the idea, and with the strong hopecreated thereby, that his blood began to course more rapidly and hisheart to beat high. Under the impulse, he gave vent to a yell that drewa nod of gratified approval from his mother, and quite astonished thosewho knew him best. Redoubling his twistings and drummings, he soon worehimself out, and ere long fell down in a state of temporary exhaustion.

  Having thus, according to instruction, worked himself up to the properpitch of enthusiasm, Ippegoo lay still and panted. Ujarak then, comingforward, led him into Angut's hut, which was lighted as usual withseveral cooking-lamps. The people flocked in after them till it wasnearly full; but spaces in the centre and upper end were keptcomparatively free. Near the lamp the Kablunet was seen seated,observing the proceedings with much gravity; Okiok sat near him.

  When all were seated, the wizard led his pupil into the centre space,and, making him sit down, bent him forward until his head was betweenhis legs. He fastened it in that position, and then tied his handsbehind his back. All the lights were now extinguished, for no one isallowed to witness the interview of the unfinished angekok with thetorngak, nor to move a finger for fear of disturbing him.

  The room being now in the state which is described as darkness justvisible, Ippegoo began to sing a song, in which all joined. Presentlyhe took to groaning by way of variety; then he puffed and gasped, and ina quavering voice entreated his torngak to come. Spirits, however, likehuman creatures, are not always open to entreaty. At all events,Ippegoo's torngak refused to appear.

  In such circumstances it is usual for an aspirant to writhe about untilhe brings on a sort of _fit_, during the continuance of which his soulgoes off to fetch the obstinate torngak. After a short time he returnswith him, laughing loudly for joy, while a rustling noise, resemblingthe wings of birds as they swoop about the roof, is heard.

  But Ippegoo was not a sufficiently wise man to get through this part ofthe programme. True, he wrought himself into a wonderful state ofexcitement, and then humbly lay down on his side to have a fit. But thefit would not come. He tried his best to have it. He wished with allhis heart for it, but all his efforts were vain.

  "O why won't you come to me, torngak?" demanded the poor youth, with apitiful whine.

  "Because you are wise enough already," said a low voice, which startledthe audience very much, and sent a thrill of alarm, not unmingled withsurprise, to the hearts of Ippegoo and his master.

  The voice seemed to come from the outside of the hut.

  "Ask him to come inside and speak to us," whispered Ujarak, who was agood deal more surprised even than his pupil at this unexpected turn ofaffairs.

  "Won't you come in, torngak?" said Ippegoo timidly. "It is very coldoutside. You will be more comfortable inside, and we shall hear youbetter. I suppose you can come as easily through the wall as by--"

  "Stop your stupid tongue!" growled Ujarak.

  At that moment a deep unearthly voice was heard inside the hut. Everyone trembled, and there ensued a silence so oppressive as to suggest theidea that all present were holding their breath, and afraid to move evenby a hair's-breadth.

  Suddenly there was a faint murmur, for at the upper end of the hut adark form was seen slowly to arise. It must be remembered that therewas barely light enough to render darkness visible. No features couldbe distinguished on this apparition, but it gradually assumed the formof a gigantic bear, rising nearly to the roof, and with its greatforelegs extended, as if it were brooding over the assembly. Every oneremained perfectly still, as if spell-bound.

  Only one of the audience was sceptical. Being himself a master ofdeception, Ujarak suspected some trick, and slowly approached the giantbear with the intention of testing its reality--in some trepidation,however, for he was naturally superstitious. When he had drawn nearenough to touch it, he received a tremendous blow on the forehead, whichlaid him flat on his back in a partially stunned condition, with hishead in Pussimek's lap. That amiable woman considerately allowed it toremain there, and as the wizard felt mentally confused he did not careto change his position.

  Presently a low musical voice broke upon the assembly. We need scarcelysay that it was that of our hero, Red Rooney, but so changed incharacter and tone as to be quite unrecognisable by the company, most ofwhom, indeed, were not yet very familiar with it. Even his moreintimate friends, Angut and the Okiok family, were startled by it. Infact, the seaman, besides being something of a mimic, possessed ametallic bass voice of profound depth, which, like most bass voices, wascapable of mounting into the higher latitudes of tone by means of afalsetto. He utilised his gifts on the present occasion.

  "Ippegoo," he said solemnly and very slowly, "I am not your torngak. Iam an angekok, and as I chanced to be passing by your hut in mywanderings, I stopped to hear. I have heard enough to be able to tellyou that you shall never be an angekok. Nor shall you ever have atorngak. You do not need one. You are wise enough already, much wiserthan your master, who is no better than a miserable puffin. Is it notthe duty of one who would be an angekok to go away and live alone formany days fasting, and praying, and meditating? Has not Ujarak advisedyou to change the ancient customs? Pooh! he is a fool. You cannotsucceed now. All the spirits of water, earth, and air have beeninsulted. This assembly must break up. You must leave off trying. Youmay all be thankful that the ice does not burst up and crush y
ou; thatthe sky does not fall upon you; that the great sea does not roll itsmaddest waves over you. Up, all of you--Begone!"

  Rooney finished off with a roar so deep and fearsome that the veryrafters trembled. A pile of wood, stones, and earthenware, previouslyprepared for the purpose, was tipped over, and fell with a most awfulcrash. At the same moment the seaman culminated in a falsetto shriekthat might have shamed a steam whistle.

  It was enough. Had the tunnel entrance of the hut been long and strong,suffocation to many must have been the result, for they went into itpell-mell, rolling rather than running. Fortunately, it was short andweak. Ujarak and Simek, sticking in it, burst it up, and swept it away,thus clearing the passage for the rest. The last to disappear wasKunelik, whose tail flapped on the door-post like a small pistol-shot asshe doubled round it and scrambled out, leaving Rooney, Angut, Kannoa,and Ippegoo to enjoy the situation.