But about this time, many in the place fell sick. And among them was Navssârssuaq. The sickness killed him, and thus the avenging spirit was not able to tear him in pieces.
Artuk, Who Did All Forbidden Things
A man whose name was Artuk had buried his wife, but refused to remain aloof from doings which those who have been busied with the dead are forbidden to share. He said he did not hold by such old customs.
Some of his fellow-villagers were at work cutting up frozen meat for food. After watching them for a while as they worked at the meat with their knives, he took a stone axe and hacked at the meat, saying:
“That is the way to cut up meat.”
And this he did although it was forbidden.
And on the same day he went out on to the ice and took off his inner coat to shake it, and this he did although it was forbidden.
Also he went up on to an iceberg and drank water which the sun had melted there, knowing well that this was likewise forbidden.
And all these things he did in scorn of that which his fellows believed. For he said it was all lies.