These men were evidently not Eskimos, far less were they savages. One was very tall and squarely built, and, had he not been so dark in skin, would have been very handsome.
His companion was evidently very short, but as broad in the beam as any athlete would care to be.
Both were armed with rifles, but these were slung carelessly in front of the sledge.
Presently they were close at hand. Then the taller of the two, who had been driving, ordered the dogs to “down-charge,” and threw the reins to his companion.
When he stood erect on the snow, with his spear-like pole in his left hand, and pulled his skin hood off, the volume of long dark brown hair that tumbled down over his shoulders, his splendid fur-clad figure and dignity of bearing, would have brought down the house in any theatre.
Then he tossed his head, and shook back his locks.
“Ingomar, sir, at your service!” he said, smiling.
The captain stood in the gangway.
“Ingomar, is it?” he said, smiling in turn. “Well, indeed, you look it, young fellow. But won’t Ingomar honour us with his presence on board?” he added.
“With pleasure, captain; and, come to think of it, that is what brought me here.”