The six hunters of the Hungry Folk attested the truth and fell each to telling his neighbor of the Sunlanders and their ways.  There were mutterings from the younger men, who had wives to seek, and from the older men, who had daughters to fetch prices, and a low hum of rage rose higher and clearer.

“They are very rich, and have cunning tools of iron, and knives, and guns without end,” Tyee suggested craftily, his dream of sudden wealth beginning to take shape.

“I shall take the gun of Bill-Man for myself,” Aab-Waak suddenly proclaimed.

“Nay, it shall be mine!” shouted Neegah; “for there is the price of Mesahchie to be reckoned.”

“Peace!  O brothers!” Tyee swept the assembly with his hands.  “Let the women and children go to their igloos.  This is the talk of men; let it be for the ears of men.”

“There be guns in plenty for all,” he said when the women had unwillingly withdrawn.  “I doubt not there will be two guns for each man, without thought of the flour and sugar and other things.  And it is easy.  The six Sunlanders in Neegah’s igloo will we kill to-night while they sleep.  To-morrow will we go in peace to the ship to trade, and there, when the time favors, kill all their brothers.  And to-morrow night there shall be feasting and merriment and division of wealth.  And the least man shall possess more than did ever the greatest before.  Is it wise, that which I have spoken, brothers?”

A low growl of approval answered him, and preparation for the attack was begun.  The six Hungry Folk, as became members of a wealthier tribe, were armed with rifles and plenteously supplied with ammunition.  But it was only here and there that a Mandell possessed a gun, many of which were broken, and there was a general slackness of powder and shells.  This poverty of war weapons, however, was relieved by myriads of bone-headed arrows and casting-spears for work at a distance, and for close quarters steel knives of Russian and Yankee make.

“Let there be no noise,” Tyee finally instructed; “but be there many on every side of the igloo, and close, so that the Sunlanders may not break through.  Then do you, Neegah, with six of the young men behind, crawl in to where they sleep.  Take no guns, which be prone to go off at unexpected times, but put the strength of your arms into the knives.”

“And be it understood that no harm befall Mesahchie, who is worth a price,” Neegah whispered hoarsely.

Flat upon the ground, the small army concentred on the igloo, and behind, deliciously expectant, crouched many women and children, come out to witness the murder.  The brief August night was passing, and in the gray of dawn could be dimly discerned the creeping forms of Neegah and the young men.  Without pause, on hands and knees, they entered the long passageway and disappeared.  Tyee rose up and rubbed his hands.  All was going well.  Head after head in the big circle lifted and waited.  Each man pictured the scene according to his nature—­the sleeping men, the plunge of the knives, and the sudden death in the dark.