“’And yet further, my heart is softened, and I have repented me of my madness.  I, who am a fool and a son of fools; I, who am the slave of the bad god Biz-e-Nass; I, who see thy empty bellies and knew not wherewith to fill them—­why shall I be chief, and sit above thee, and rule to thine own destruction?  Why should I do this, which is not good?  But Moosu, who is shaman, and who is wise above men, is so made that he can rule with a soft hand and justly.  And because of the things I have related do I make abdication and give my chiefship to Moosu, who alone knoweth how ye may be fed in this day when there be no meat in the land.’

“At this there was a great clapping of hands, and the people cried, ‘Kloshe! Kloshe!’ which means ‘good.’  I had seen the wonder-worry in Moosu’s eyes; for he could not understand, and was fearful of my white man’s wisdom.  I had met his wishes all along the line, and even anticipated some; and standing there, self-shorn of all my power, he knew the time did not favour to stir the people against me.

“Before they could disperse I made announcement that while the still went to Moosu, whatever hooch I possessed went to the people.  Moosu tried to protest at this, for never had we permitted more than a handful to be drunk at a time; but they cried, ‘Kloshe! Kloshe!’ and made festival before my door.  And while they waxed uproarious without, as the liquor went to their heads, I held council within with Angeit and the faithful ones.  I set them the tasks they were to do, and put into their mouths the words they were to say.  Then I slipped away to a place back in the woods where I had two sleds, well loaded, with teams of dogs that were not overfed.  Spring was at hand, you see, and there was a crust to the snow; so it was the best time to take the way south.  Moreover, the tobacco was gone.  There I waited, for I had nothing to fear.  Did they bestir themselves on my trail, their dogs were too fat, and themselves too lean, to overtake me; also, I deemed their bestirring would be of an order for which I had made due preparation.

“First came a faithful one, running, and after him another.  ‘O master,’ the first cried, breathless, ’there be great confusion in the village, and no man knoweth his own mind, and they be of many minds.  Everybody hath drunken overmuch, and some be stringing bows, and some be quarrelling one with another.  Never was there such a trouble.’

“And the second one:  ’And I did as thou biddest, O master, whispering shrewd words in thirsty ears, and raising memories of the things that were of old time.  The woman Ipsukuk waileth her poverty and the wealth that no longer is hers.  And Tummasook thinketh himself once again chief, and the people are hungry and rage up and down.’