Robert Michael Ballantyne

The Walrus Hunters Robert Michael Ballantyne

Book Excerpt: ...ttle bowl at one end, and having leisurely filled it with a brown substance, also drawn from the bag, he put the other or small end of the instrument between his teeth. Then he took up a burning stick and applied it to the bowl. The Eskimo had been gazing at him with ever-widening eyes, but at this his mouth also began to open, and he gave vent to a gentle "ho!" of unutterable surprise, for immediately there burst from the Indian's lips a puff of smoke as if he had suddenly become a gun, or fire-spouter and gone off unexpectedly. There was profound interest as well as astonishment in the gaze of our Eskimo, for he now became aware that he was about to witness a remarkable custom of the red men, of which he had often heard, but which he had never clearly understood."Does it not burn?" he asked in breathless curiosity."No," replied his friend."Do you like it? Hi--i!"The exclamation was induced by the Indian, who at the moment sent a stream of smoke from each nostril...