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."
"When we were safely across the bridge we passed the sleeping dog
and boldly entered the Old Woman's house. The Old Woman is
terrible to look upon! Her hand is the size of a large walrus,
and her teeth like the rocks along the coast!" The Angakok
dropped his voice to a whisper.
"However, when she looked upon me she trembled!" he said. "She
saw at once that I possessed great power, and was a great
Angakok. I spoke to her flattering words. Then I told her of the
hunger of my children!"
"I begged that she would send the seal and walrus and sea-birds
to our coast at once. But she had no mind to yield to my
requests. Then I stormed and threatened." The Angakok's voice
grew louder. "The walls shook with the thunder of my voice! At
last I seized her by the hair! I tipped over the saucer with my
foot! My great power prevailed against the mighty sorceress!"
"The seal and walrus swam away. The birds flew into the air and
were gone. I had conquered the Old Woman of the Sea! My children
were saved!" The Angakok was silent for a moment. Then he spoke
again in a natural voice.
"When I opened my eyes in my own igloo again," he said, "the
famine was already over. Flocks of sea-birds were flying
overhead. The sea swarmed with fish, and with walrus and seal.
Every one along the whole coast was happy.
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