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caches。
〃When all was ready； I sent Angeit； and the faithful ones whom I had
fed privily； through the village to call assembly。 And the tribe gathered
on a great space of beaten snow before my door； with the meat caches
towering stilt…legged in the rear。 Moosu came also； standing on the inner
edge of the circle opposite me； confident that I had some scheme afoot；
and prepared at the first break to down me。 But I arose； giving him
salutation before all men。
〃'O Moosu； thou blessed of God；' I began； 'doubtless thou hast
wondered in that I have called this convocation together； and doubtless；
because of my many foolishnesses； art thou prepared for rash sayings and
rash doings。 Not so。 It has been said； that those the gods would destroy
they first make mad。 And I have been indeed mad。 I have crossed thy
will； and scoffed at thy authority； and done divers evil and wanton things。
Wherefore； last night a vision was vouchsafed me； and I have seen the
wickedness of my ways。 And thou stoodst forth like a shining star； with
brows aflame； and I knew in mine own heart thy greatness。 I saw all
things clearly。 I knew that thou didst command the ear of God； and that
when you spoke he listened。 And I remembered that whatever of the
good deeds that I had done； I had done through the grace of God； and the
grace of Moosu。
〃'Yes； my children；' I cried； turning to the people； 'whatever right I
have done； and whatever good I have done； have been because of the
counsel of Moosu。 When I listened to him； affairs prospered； when I
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closed my ears； and acted according to my folly； things came to folly。 By
his advice it was that I laid my store of meat； and in time of darkness fed
the famishing。 By his grace it was that I was made chief。 And what
have I done with my chiefship？ Let me tell you。 I have done nothing。
My head was turned with power； and I deemed myself greater than Moosu；
and； behold I have come to grief。 My rule has been unwise； and the gods
are angered。 Lo； ye are pinched with famine； and the mothers are dry…
breasted； and the little babies cry through the long nights。 Nor do I； who
have hardened my heart against Moosu； know what shall be done； nor in
what manner of way grub shall be had。'
〃At this there was nodding and laughing； and the people put their
heads together； and I knew they whispered of the loaves and fishes。 I went
on hastily。 'So I was made aware of my foolishness and of Moosu's
wisdom； of my own unfitness and of Moosu's fitness。 And because of
this； being no longer mad； I make acknowledgment and rectify evil。 I did
cast unrighteous eyes upon Kluktu； and lo； she was sealed to Moosu。 Yet
is she mine； for did I not pay to Tummasook the goods of purchase？ But
I am well unworthy of her； and she shall go from the igloo of her father to
the igloo of Moosu。 Can the moon shine in the sunshine？ And further；
Tummasook shall keep the goods of purchase； and she be a free gift to
Moosu； whom God hath ordained her rightful lord。
〃'And further yet； because I have used my wealth unwisely； and to
oppress ye； O my children； do I make gifts of the kerosene can to Moosu；
and the gooseneck； and the gun…barrel； and the copper kettle。 Therefore；
I can gather to me no more possessions； and when ye are athirst for hooch；
he will quench ye and without robbery。 For he is a great man； and God
speaketh through his lips。
〃'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 themwhy 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
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The Faith of Men
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