But there was nothing spooky or unreal about Kak’s pride. “The ugrug,” he said in an elated whisper, “round my waist.”
Taptuna saw the thong then, thrust his arm under his son’s body and pulled hard. For a second the huge seal, taken by surprise, allowed himself to go with the pull. Sharp pain in his nose reminded him of danger and set him battling again; but that moment’s delay was enough for Taptuna to slack the noose and free Kak.
The boy rolled over on the snow with a sobbing intake of breath; he rose to his knees.
“Pull, kid!” yelled his father, who needed no explanation once he had felt the monster plunge.
His voice squealed with desire to land this great prize, and Kak, thrilled afresh, sprang into the fight. Of course the ugrug knew he was beaten with a man’s hand on the line. His wound was very swollen and sore, and hurt like anything when they twitched it. He gave a wollop or two toward liberty, and bluffed at being almighty powerful, but little by little he had to surrender and follow his nose up into the hole.
Kak and Taptuna were already cautiously chopping the ice away at the surface. Slowly the bearded monster rose below them. As the ugrug came into the narrowest part of the hole it had no room to fight and its struggles ceased. The leather line held. Frantically Kak chopped and chopped with the stout copper ice chisel. The great bulk of the seal’s body rose, slithered, rose again; their hands were almost on it. The boy’s heart fluttered as he saw that gigantic creature which he had fought and won.
“Alone, my lad—alone! For it was practically over when I came. I have only helped you land him,” Taptuna generously acknowledged when at last, with wild heaving and grunting and groaning, the slippery beast was drawn out and lay an inert mass at their feet.
Kak’s nerves played him false then. He fell down on top of the seal and cried like Noashak.
“Tut, tut,” said his father, patting him on the back. “You’re cold and tired and hungry—but you’re a man, Kak. You’ve got grit. Hanging on to an ugrug!”
“I couldn’t get away. I’d have let him go if he would have let me go. I was afraid he’d pull me right through the ice,” blubbered Kak.