“Angekok, Angekok,” Sipsa began repeating, while pointing at the dead bear.
Sandy looked blankly at Dick, who was searching his mind for the meaning of the word. At last he recalled it.
“He means ‘devil.’ Angekok is the Eskimo word for ‘almighty devil.’ They believe in evil spirits, and he’s trying to tell us there was a devil in this bear.”
“I guess he’s not far from right,” Sandy declared with genuine sincerity.
Presently the Eskimo managed to convey to the boys that they must return to the village and get sledges with which to haul in the meat of the two bears.
Feeling they had had plenty of hunting for that day, the boys were glad to consent to this, and all three started back toward camp, led by Sipsa, who had gained the great respect of Dick and Sandy.
Tired, hungry and cold, the chums at last reached the Eskimo village, only to find all in a state of confusion and uproar. Toma met them with an explanation of the excitement tumbling from his ordinarily reticent lips.
“Somebody steal um dog team an’ sledge,” said Toma. “I in igloo, get um meat cooked for supper. All Eskimo down by big water, ketch um seal. When I come out I see not so many dogs, an’ one sledge not there. I hurry up, tell um Eskimos. They take dog team an’ go after this fella who steal dog team.”
“And you didn’t see the thief at all?” asked Dick, gravely concerned.
Toma shook his head vigorously. “Him come an’ go like bad spirit. No hear, no see. I no like that kind thief.”