The old man sneered bitterly:
"He cannot brave the spirits. No man can live in the mountains. The breath of the spirits is death."
"Yea, he goeth. He says that he knows where the ahmingmah abound. The air is still; the moon rises for ten sleeps. By then, so he saith, he can return with meat."
"No man hath ever ventured there. The shadow of Perdlugssuaq is very dark."
"Yea, may he smite Ootah!" exclaimed Maisanguaq.
Sipsu laughed harshly.
"Couldst thou cause the hill spirits to strike?" Maisanguaq asked eagerly.
Sipsu faced Maisanguaq fiercely.
"In my youth I went unto the mountains and I heard the hill spirits sing. Thereupon I became a great magician. They spoke to me; I was silent; thereafter, when I called they answered. What wouldst thou?"
Maisanguaq indicated the blubber.