38 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



ceptible. But for his thick covering of 

 furs, his skin tough as leather and reeking 

 with oil, he would have been frozen in the 

 midst of his journey. But the still excite- 

 ment of the hunt was pumping the blood 

 hotly through his veins. He was now within 

 gunshot, but in that dim light his shooting 

 would be uncertain. He preferred to worm 

 his way nearer, and then trust to his more 

 accustomed weapon, the spear, which he 

 could drive half-way through the tough 

 bulk of a walrus. 



At last there remained between him and 

 the seals but one low ridge and then a space 

 of level floe. This was the critical point. 

 If he could writhe his body over the crest 

 and down the other side, he would be within 

 safe spear-shot. He would spring to his feet 

 and throw before the nimblest seal could 

 gain the water. He lay absolutely still, 

 summoning wits, nerves, and muscles alike 

 to serve his will with their best. His eyes 

 burned deep in his head, like smouldering 

 coals. 



Just at this moment a ghostly light waved 

 broadly across the solitude. It paled, with- 

 drew, wavered back and forth as shaken from 

 a curtain in the heavens, then steadied 

 ephemerally into an arch of glowing silver, 



