success, he believed he might pursue his suit for the hand of Annadoah.
With powerful, steady strokes of their paddles the hunters, in their
processions of kayaks, towed the walrus through the sea shoreward.
They joined unrestrainedly in Ootah's hunting chant. Only Maisanguaq
was silent.
Now and then, unable to restrain his exuberant joy, Ootah sang his love
to the clouds, the waves, the winds.
"O winds, O happy winds, speed my message to Annadoah!" he called.
"Tell her that I return with the food of the sea! O spirits of the
air, breathe to her that Ootah's heart hungers for her as starving
_ahmingmah_ desire green grass in winter time. O happy, happy waters,
I return to Annadoah with food and fuel for winter--say Ootah
_meuilacto_--would wed--Annadoah. Tell her Ootah calls her
_Mamacadosa_!"
The others, although disappointed in being outwon, in spontaneous
recognition of his superior feat, chimed a chorus of congratulations.
Suddenly Maisanguaq gleefully pointed a significant finger to the sky.
"Pst!" he said.
A black guillemot, like an omen of evil, passed over Ootah's head.
By all the immemorial customs of their people, because of the
established pre-eminence of his prowess, Ootah should now find favor in
the eyes of Annadoah. Scarce seventeen summers had passed over
Annadoah's head and of wooers she had a score. The young hunters, not
only of her own tribe, but of others far south, sought her hand. The
fame of her beauty and skill had travelled far. None, it was said,
equalled her dexterity in plaiting sinew thread; none cut and sewed
garments as this maid with tender child's hands. She made weapons, she
brewed marvellous broths. Since the death of her mother she had served
the tribe with her skill. Yet, as the summers passed, she remained
carefree and to all suitors shook her head. "Become a great chief,"
she would say. "Win in the games, bring back the musk oxen, then
perhaps Annadoah will listen." Each summer the young men pursued the
hunt with the hope of becoming chief hunter among the tribesmen. But
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