Then the ill wind blew upon them and
brought disaster as they came to the camp on the island; therefore it
seemed quite certain that not the kablunok but some of the innuit in
the camp had offended the great Torngak, and amongst themselves they
must look for the cause of their misfortune.
Matuk followed this speech with an address in which he bore out
Akonuk's statements, and, doubtless having in mind Bob's plentiful
supply of tea, of which beverage Matuk was passionately fond and
partook freely, he stated it as his opinion that the presence of the
kablunok had actually been the source of the good luck they had had
previous to their arrival at Kangeva. Then he wound up with the
startling announcement that he believed he knew the cause of Torngak's
anger: that on the very day of their arrival he had seen Chealuk--one
of the old women--sewing a netsek--sealskin adikey--_with the sinew of
the tukto_--reindeer.
Every one turned to Chealuk for confirmation and she said simply,
"It is true."
The Eskimos were struck dumb with horror. This, then, was the cause
of their trouble. For the women to work with any part of the reindeer
while the men were hunting seals was one of the greatest affronts that
could be offered the Great Spirit. Torngak had been insulted and
angered.
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