ACEOSS THE SUB-AECTICS OF CANADA 



them in the same community, but some rise to much greater 

 distinction than others. 



These wizards are said to be taught from youth by one of 

 the deputy chief friends, named " Tornat," and some of them 

 are supposed to have great power with the spirits. 



At times, when the people are threatened with famine, or 

 are in distress of any kind, the angokoke is requested to inter- 

 cede for them. Supposing it is food that is wanted, he 

 arranges for an interview with Tomarsuk, the chief of the 

 devils. In order to do this, the angokoke, accompanied by 

 one other man, goes down to the water's edge in the early 

 morning at the hour of low tide. Here his companion binds 

 him in a doubled-up position, so that his knees meet his face, 

 and lashes him up with stout thongs so tightly that he is 

 unable to move hand or foot. In this helpless condition his 

 companion leaves him, with his walrus harpoon lying by his 

 side and the rising waters lapping at his feet. What imme- 

 diately follows only the angokoke knows, but I have been 

 informed by the wizards themselves — and it is fully believed 

 by the Eskimo people — that the devil comes to his rescue and 

 releases him from his bonds, but at the same time seizes the 

 harpoon found on the ground and thrusts it through his 

 breast. The point projectirig through his coat behind, and 

 blood trickling down in front, the excited wizard rushes up 

 from the shore to the village, trailing behind him the harpoon 

 line. He bursts into the first igloo in a frenzied condition, 

 snorting and blowing like a walrus. As he enters all sharp 

 tools are quickly put out of sight, so that the angokoke may 

 not harm himself with theni, and at the same time water is 

 sprinkled on his feet. This done, he bounds out of the igloo, 

 and as he does so the occupants seize the harpoon line trailing 

 behind, but are not able to hold him, for he is as strong as 

 a walrus. 



The magician then enters the next igloo, where a like 

 performance is repeated, and in the same manner the round 



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