This is a world of surprises. However long we may live, and however much we may learn, the possibility of being surprised remains1 with us, and our capacity for blazing astonishment2 is as great as when first, with staggering gait, we escaped from the nursery into space and stood irresolute3, with the world before us where to choose.
These thoughts arise from the remembrance of Okiok as he stood one morning open-mouthed, open-eyed, open-souled, and, figuratively, petrified4, gazing at something over a ledge5 of rock.
What that something was we must learn from Okiok himself, after he had cautiously retired6 from the scene, and run breathlessly back towards the Eskimo village, where the first man he met was Red Rooney.
“Seen what?”
“Seen a man—on fire; and he seems not to mind it!”
“On fire! A man! Surely not. You must be mistaken.”
“No, I am quite sure,” returned Okiok, with intense earnestness. “I saw him with my two eyes, and smoke was coming out of him.”
Rooney half-suspected what the Eskimo had seen, but there was just enough of uncertainty9 to induce him to say, “Come, take me to him.”
“Is the man alone?” he asked, as they hurried along.
“No; Ippegoo is with him, staring at him.” They soon reached the ledge of rock where Okiok had seen the “something,” and, looking cautiously over it, Rooney beheld10 his friend Kajo smoking a long clay pipe such as Dutchmen are supposed to love. Ippegoo was watching him in a state of ecstatic absorption.
Rooney drew back and indulged in a fit of stifled11 laughter for a minute, but his companion was too much surprised even to smile.
“Is he doing that curious thing,” asked Okiok in a low voice, “which you once told me about—smookin’ tibooko?”
“Yes; that’s it,” replied Rooney with a broad grin, “only you had better say ‘smokin’ tobacco’ next time.”
“‘Smokkin’ tibucco,’” repeated the Eskimo; “well, that is funny. But why does he spit it out? Does he not like it?”
“Of course he likes it. At least I suppose he does, by the expression of his face.”
There could be little doubt that Rooney was right. Kajo had evidently got over the preliminary stages of incapacity and repugnance12 long ago, and had acquired the power of enjoying that mild and partial stupefaction—sometimes called “soothing influence”—which tobacco smoke affords. His eyes blinked happily, like those of a cat in the sunshine; his thickish lips protruded13 poutingly14 as they gripped the stem; and the smoke was expelled slowly at each puff15, as if he grudged16 losing a single whiff of the full flavour.
Scarcely less interesting was the entranced gaze of Ippegoo. Self-oblivion had been effectively achieved in that youth. A compound of feelings—interest, surprise, philosophical17 inquiry18, eager expectancy19, and mild alarm—played hide-and-seek with each other in his bosom20, and kept him observant and still.
“Why,” asked Okiok, after gazing in silent admiration21 for a few minutes over the ledge, “why does he not swallow it, if he likes it, and keep it down?”
“It’s hard to say,” answered Rooney. “Perhaps he’d blow up or catch fire if he were to try. It might be dangerous!”
“See,” exclaimed Okiok, in an eager whisper; “he is going to let Ippegoo taste it.”
Rooney looked on with increased interest, for at that moment Kajo, having had enough, offered the pipe to his friend, who accepted it with the air of a man who half expected it to bite and put the end in his mouth with diffidence. He was not successful with the first draw, for instead of taking the smoke merely into his mouth he drew it straight down his throat, and spent nearly five minutes thereafter in violent coughing with tears running down his cheeks.
Kajo spent the same period in laughing, and then gravely and carefully explained how the thing should be done.
Ippegoo was an apt scholar. Almost immediately he learned to puff, and in a very short time was rolling thick white clouds from him like a turret-gun in action. Evidently he was proud of his rapid attainments22.
“Humph! That won’t last long,” murmured Rooney to his companion.
“Isn’t it good?” said Kajo to Ippegoo.
“What’s wrong, Ippegoo?”
“I—I—feel f–funny.”
“Never mind that,” said Kajo. “It’s always the way at first. When I first tried it I—”
He was cut short by Ippegoo suddenly rising, dropping the pipe, clapping one hand on his breast, the other on his mouth, and rushing into the bushes where he disappeared like one of his own puffs27 of smoke. At the same moment Rooney and Okiok appeared on the scene, laughing heartily28.
“You rascal29!” said Rooney to Kajo, on recovering his gravity; “you have learned to drink, and you have learned to smoke, and, not satisfied with that extent of depravity, you try to teach Ippegoo. You pitiful creature! Are you not ashamed of yourself?”
Kajo looked sheepish, and admitted that he had some sensations of that sort, but wasn’t sure.
“Tell me,” continued the seaman sternly, “before you tasted strong drink or tobacco, did you want them?”
“No,” replied Kajo.
“Are you in better health now that you’ve got them?”
“I—I feel the better for them,” replied Kajo.
“I did not ask what you feel,” returned Rooney. “Are you better now than you were before? That’s the question.”
But Rooney never got a satisfactory answer to that question, and Kajo continued to drink and smoke until, happily for himself, he had to quit the settlements and proceed to the lands of thick-ribbed ice, where nothing stronger than train oil and lamp-smoke were procurable30.
As for poor Ippegoo, he did not show himself to his friends during the remainder of that day. Being half an idiot, no one could prevail on him thereafter to touch another pipe.
Now, while the Eskimos and our friends were engaged in hunting, and holding an unwonted amount both of religious and philosophical intercourse31, a band of desperadoes was descending33 the valleys of the interior of Greenland, with a view to plunder34 the Eskimos of the coast.
Hitherto we have written about comparatively well-behaved and genial35 natives, but it must not be supposed that there were no villains36 of an out-and-out character among those denizens37 of the north. It is true there were not many—for the sparseness38 of the population, the superabundance of game on land and sea, as well as the wealth of unoccupied hunting-grounds, and the rigour of the climate, rendered robbery and war quite unnecessary, as well as disagreeable. Still, there were a few spirits of evil even there, to whom a quiet life seemed an abomination, and for whom the violent acquisition of other men’s goods possessed39 a charm far transcending40 the practice of the peaceful industries of life.
The band referred to was not remarkably41 strong in numbers—about thirty or so; but these were sturdy and daring villains, led by a chief who must have had some of the old Norse blood in his veins42, he was so tall, fair of complexion43, and strong.
Descending first on the little settlement of Godhaab at night, this robber band found that a Dutch trading-vessel44 had just arrived, the crew of which, added to the settlers attracted from their hunting-grounds to the village, formed a force which they dared not venture to attack openly. Grimlek, the robber chief, therefore resolved to wait for a better opportunity. Meanwhile, passing himself and band off as hunters, he purchased a few things from the traders and then proceeded along the coast, intending to hunt, as well as to wait till the vessel should depart.
While the robbers were thus engaged, they came unexpectedly on another trading-ship—a Dutchman—part of the crew of which had landed for some purpose or other in their boat. On seeing the Eskimos, the Dutchmen got quickly into their boat, and pushed off; but the robbers made signs of peace to them, and, carrying their bows, arrows, and spears up to the woods, left them there, returning to the shore as if unarmed, though in reality they had retained their knives. Again they made signs, as if they wished to trade with the Dutchmen.
Deceived by appearances, the sailors once more drew in to the shore. While they were approaching, Grimlek called his men round him and gave a few hasty directions. When the sailors had landed, the Eskimos mingled46 with them, and began to offer sealskins for trade—each selecting a particular man with whom to transact47 business. At a given signal they drew their knives from under their coats, and each robber stabbed his man to the heart. The men left in the ship, seeing what had occurred, and that it was too late to attempt rescue, instantly filled her sails, and went off to sea.
The villains having thus easily slain48 their victims, carried off the booty found in the boat, and hid it in the bushes, to be taken away at a convenient opportunity.
But this deed of darkness was not done unwitnessed. Early in the morning of that day, various hunting parties had dispersed49 in different directions—some to the hills, others to the sea. Among the latter was an oomiak full of women who went along-shore to fish, and with whom were old Kannoa, Nunaga, and others. They went in a northerly direction. Rooney, Angut, and Okiok proceeded along the coast to the southward.
The direction taken by these last brought them near to the spot where the Dutch sailors had landed, at the critical moment when the robbers were mingling50 with their unsuspecting victims.
Although only three to thirty, it is certain that our heroes would have sprung to the aid of the sailors if they had suspected what was about to happen, but the deed was done so promptly51 that there was no time for action. Fortunately Rooney and his companions had not shown themselves. They were therefore able to draw back into the shelter of the bushes, where they held a hasty council of war.
“We must run back to camp,” said Rooney, “tell what we have seen, and return with a band of men to punish the murderers.”
“Agreed,” said Okiok; “but how are we to do it? The shore is open. We cannot take a step that way without being seen, and chased. We might outrun them, though I don’t feel quite as supple52 as I used to; but we should barely arrive before them in time to warn the camp, and should then be almost unfit to fight.”
To this Angut replied that they could go inland over the hills, and so come down on the camp in rear. It might not, he thought, add much to the distance. This plan was quickly adopted and put in practice.
But there are few things more deceptive53 than formation and distance in mountain lands. What seemed to the trio easy, proved to be tremendously difficult; and the distance they had to travel in order to avoid precipices54 and surmount55 ridges56, gradually increased to many miles, so that it was late, and twilight58 was deepening into night, before they reached the camp.
Meanwhile the robbers were not idle. Although ignorant of the fact that their bloody59 work had been observed, they were not long ignorant of the near neighbourhood of the Eskimo camp. Early in the morning they had sent two of their swiftest young men to spy out the land ahead. These had discovered the camp, entered it, professing60 to be wandering hunters, and had then returned to their friends with the news that many of the men had gone away hunting, and would probably remain out all night; also that an oomiak full of women had gone off to the southward to fish.
The runners, happening to descend32 to the coast on the opposite side of a ridge57 from Rooney and his companions, just missed meeting them, and returned to their comrades shortly after the massacre61. Grimlek knew that whatever course he should pursue must be prompt and decisive. He at once divided his men into two bands, one of which he sent to pursue and capture the women who had gone to fish; with the other, which he led in person, he resolved either to storm the camp or take it by surprise, as circumstances might point out.
By the straight way of the shore the distance was not great. In fact, the camp might have been seen from the spot where the massacre had been perpetrated, but for a high promontory62 which concealed63 it. On rounding this promontory, the party detailed64 to pursue the women glided65 into the bushes and disappeared. Grimlek, with the remaining men, advanced straight and openly towards the camp. He saw, however, on drawing near, that the number of men in it were more than a match for his small party, and therefore approached with friendly demonstrations66.
They were hospitably67 received by Hans Egede.
“My friends,” he said, “you have arrived just as we are assembling to talk about the things that concern our souls, the future life, and the Good Spirit. Will you and your men sit down and listen?”
For a few moments Grimlek did not reply. Then he said, “You are not an Eskimo?”
“No, I am a Kablunet,” replied Egede; “I have been sent to tell the Eskimos about the true God.”
Again the robber chief was silent. Then he said that he would consult with his men, and retired with them a short distance to do so.
“Nothing better could have happened,” he said in a low tone. “The Kablunet is going to talk to them about his God. All we have to do is to mingle45 with them. Let each of you choose his man and sit down beside him. When I give the signal, strike at once, and let no second blow be needed.”
A murmur23 of assent68 was all that the band returned to this speech, and Grimlek, returning to the missionary69, said that he and his men were ready to hear.
In a few minutes each of the assassins was seated on the ground beside his chosen victim.
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1
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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4
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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10
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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11
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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12
repugnance
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| n.嫌恶 | |
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protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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poutingly
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| adv.撅嘴 | |
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puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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16
grudged
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| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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18
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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expectancy
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| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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21
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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22
attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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23
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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27
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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28
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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29
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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30
procurable
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| adj.可得到的，得手的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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32
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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34
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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38
sparseness
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| n.稀疏，稀少 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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transcending
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| 超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的现在分词 )； 优于或胜过… | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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42
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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43
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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45
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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48
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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49
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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50
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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51
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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52
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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53
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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54
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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surmount
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| vt.克服；置于…顶上 | |
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56
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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58
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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62
promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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63
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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64
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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65
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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66
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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67
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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68
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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