“Come, Angut,” said Rooney, descending from his throne or presidential chair, and taking the arm of his host; “I’m getting cold sitting up there. Let us have a walk together, and explain to me the meaning of this challenge.”
They went off in the direction of the sea-green cave, while Simek organised a game of kick-ball.
“Okiok tells me,” continued Rooney, “that there is to be no fighting or bloodshed in the matter. How is that?”
Angut expounded, as we have already explained, and then asked—
“Have they no singing combats in your land?”
“Well, not exactly; at least not for the purpose of settling quarrels.”
“How, then, are quarrels settled?”
“By law, sometimes, and often by sword—you would call it spear—and pistol. A pistol is a thing that spouts fire and kills. Nations occasionally settle their quarrels in the same way, and call it war.”
Angut looked puzzled—as well he might!
“When two men quarrel, can killing do any good?” he asked.