constructed of the bones a crude likeness to an animal skeleton. Over
this he sprinkled a handful of dried turf. Then, from beneath the
cover of his bed he brought a stone pot and from it poured a sluggish
red liquid over the strange object of his creation. This was a mixture
of clotted animal blood and water kept for such purposes of
conjuration. This done, he threw over the bones an aged sealskin.
Then he rose to his feet, and in a low voice uttered the secret
formulas whereby, in the depths of the sea, the result of his labor
should take the form of an artificial walrus.
Maisanguaq stood by, silent, evil exultation shining in his eyes.
While the Sipsu was moaning his spell over the pile of bones,
Maisanguaq turned and left the tent. Out on the sea he saw the kayaks
of his departing companions.
"Good luck, Maisanguaq, have courage in the chase! Remember Annadoah
awaits you all!" Annadoah called blithely and coquettishly after him.
Maisanguaq's lips tightened, his heart leaped, but well he knew that he
meant nothing to the maiden, well he knew what little chance he had,
and envy filled him, and bitter doubt, for he knew Ootah's prowess, his
strength of limb, and braveness of heart. However, he put out with
quick powerful strokes, and with a sense of anticipated triumph, for he
was confident that the magician by his necromancy had created in the
depths of the sea a _tupilak_, or artificial walrus, which should
attack Ootah. He knew it might upset Ootah's kayak and cause him to be
drowned. The probabilities were, however, that it would permit itself
to be harpooned, in which case its blighting curse would fall upon
Ootah, who would lose all power and strength of limb, whose body would
become bent and crippled and racked with the _kangerdlugpoq_, and who
would die slowly, inch by inch. Thus, Ootah would be helpless the rest
of his days and as he died all the dreadful horrors of the curses would
come upon him. Thus would Maisanguaq be revenged.
As the midnight sun dipped below the horizon, the sea became more
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