\"Whatisit？\"saidKotuko；forhewasbeginningtobeafraid。
\"Thesickness，\"Kadluanswered。\"Itisthedogsickness。\"Kotukothedogliftedhisnoseandhowledandhowledagain。
\"Ihavenotseenthisbefore。Whatwillhedo？\"saidKotuko。
Kadlushruggedoneshoulderalittle，andcrossedthehutforhisshortstabbing-harpoon。Thebigdoglookedathim，howledagain，andslunkawaydownthepassage，whiletheotherdogsdrewasiderightandlefttogivehimampleroom。Whenhewasoutonthesnowhebarkedfuriously，asthoughonthetrailofamusk-ox，and，barkingandleapingandfrisking，passedoutofsight。Histroublewasnothydrophobia，butsimple，plainmadness。Thecoldandthehunger，and，aboveall，thedark，hadturnedhishead；andwhentheterribledog-sicknessonceshowsitselfinateam，itspreadslikewild-fire。Nexthunting-
dayanotherdogsickened，andwaskilledthenandtherebyKotukoashebitandstruggledamongthetraces。Thentheblackseconddog，whohadbeentheleaderintheolddays，suddenlygavetongueonanimaginaryreindeer-track，andwhentheyslippedhimfromthepituheflewatthethroatofanice-cliff，andranawayashisleaderhaddone，hisharnessonhisback。
Afterthatnoonewouldtakethedogsoutagain。Theyneededthemforsomethingelse，andthedogsknewit；andthoughtheyweretieddownandfedbyhand，theireyeswerefullofdespairandfear。Tomakethingsworse，theoldwomenbegantotellghost-tales，andtosaythattheyhadmetthespiritsofthedeadhunterslostthatautumn，whoprophesiedallsortsofhorriblethings。
Kotukogrievedmoreforthelossofhisdogthananythingelse；
forthoughanInuiteatsenormouslyhealsoknowshowtostarve。
Butthehunger，thedarkness，thecold，andtheexposuretoldonhisstrength，andhebegantohearvoicesinsidehishead，andtoseepeoplewhowerenotthere，outofthetailofhiseye。
Onenight——hehadunbuckledhimselfaftertenhours’waitingabovea\"blind\"seal-hole，andwasstaggeringbacktothevillagefaintanddizzy——hehaltedtoleanhisbackagainstaboulderwhichhappenedtobesupportedlikearocking-stoneonasinglejuttingpointofice。Hisweightdisturbedthebalanceofthething，itrolledoverponderously，andasKotukosprangasidetoavoidit，slidafterhim，squeakingandhissingontheice-slope。
ThatwasenoughforKotuko。Hehadbeenbroughtuptobelievethateveryrockandboulderhaditsowner（itsinua），whowasgenerallyaone-eyedkindofaWoman-Thingcalledatornaq，andthatwhenatornaqmeanttohelpamansherolledafterhiminsideherstonehouse，andaskedhimwhetherhewouldtakeherforaguardianspirit。（Insummerthawstheice-proppedrocksandbouldersrollandslipalloverthefaceoftheland，soyoucaneasilyseehowtheideaoflivestonesarose。）Kotukoheardthebloodbeatinginhisearsashehadhearditallday，andhethoughtthatwasthetornaqofthestonespeakingtohim。
Beforehereachedhomehewasquitecertainthathehadheldalongconversationwithher，andasallhispeoplebelievedthatthiswasquitepossible，noonecontradictedhim。
\"Shesaidtome，’Ijumpdown，Ijumpdownfrommyplaceonthesnow，’\"criedKotuko，withholloweyes，leaningforwardinthehalf-lightedhut。\"Shesaid，’Iwillbeaguide。’Shesaid，’Iwillguideyoutothegoodseal-holes。’To-morrowIgoout，andthetornaqwillguideme。\"
Thentheangekok，thevillagesorcerer，camein，andKotukotoldhimthetaleasecondtime。Itlostnothinginthetelling。
\"Followthetornait[thespiritsofthestones]，andtheywillbringusfoodagain，\"saidtheangekok。
NowthegirlfromtheNorthhadbeenlyingnearthelamp，eatingverylittleandsayinglessfordayspast；butwhenAmoraqandKadlunextmorningpackedandlashedalittlehand-
sleighforKotuko，andloadeditwithhishunting-gearandasmuchblubberandfrozenseal-meatastheycouldspare，shetookthepulling-rope，andsteppedoutboldlyattheboy’sside。
\"Yourhouseismyhouse，\"shesaid，asthelittlebone-shodsleighsqueakedandbumpedbehindthemintheawfulArcticnight。
\"Myhouseisyourhouse，\"saidKotuko；\"butIthinkthatweshallbothgotoSednatogether。\"
NowSednaistheMistressoftheUnderworld，andtheInuitbelievethateveryonewhodiesmustspendayearinherhorriblecountrybeforegoingtoQuadliparmiut，theHappyPlace，whereitneverfreezesandthefatreindeertrotupwhenyoucall。
Throughthevillagepeoplewereshouting：\"ThetornaithavespokentoKotuko。Theywillshowhimopenice。Hewillbringusthesealagain！\"Theirvoicesweresoonswallowedupbythecold，emptydark，andKotukoandthegirlshoulderedclosetogetherastheystrainedonthepulling-ropeorhumouredthesleighthroughtheiceinthedirectionofthePolarSea。
Kotukoinsistedthatthetornaqofthestonehadtoldhimtogonorth，andnorththeywentunderTuktuqdjungtheReindeer——thosestarsthatwecalltheGreatBear。
NoEuropeancouldhavemadefivemilesadayovertheice-
rubbishandthesharp-edgeddrifts；butthosetwoknewexactlytheturnofthewristthatcoaxesasleighroundahummock，thejerkthatnearlyliftsitoutofanice-crack，andtheexactstrengththatgoestothefewquietstrokesofthespear-headthatmakeapathpossiblewheneverythinglookshopeless。
Thegirlsaidnothing，butbowedherhead，andthelongwolverine-furfringeofhererminehoodblewacrossherbroad，darkface。Theskyabovethemwasanintensevelvetyblack，changingtobandsofIndianredonthehorizon，wherethegreatstarsburnedlikestreet-lamps。FromtimetotimeagreenishwaveoftheNorthernLightswouldrollacrossthehollowofthehighheavens，flicklikeaflag，anddisappear；orameteorwouldcracklefromdarknesstodarkness，trailingashowerofsparksbehind。Thentheycouldseetheridgedandfurrowedsurfaceofthefloetippedandlacedwithstrangecolours——red，copper，andbluish；butintheordinarystarlighteverythingturnedtoonefrost-bittengray。Thefloe，asyouwillremember，hadbeenbatteredandtormentedbytheautumngalestillitwasonefrozenearthquake。Thereweregulliesandravines，andholeslikegravel-pits，cutinice；lumpsandscatteredpiecesfrozendowntotheoriginalfloorofthefloe；blotchesofoldblackicethathadbeenthrustunderthefloeinsomegaleandheavedupagain；roundishbouldersofice；saw-likeedgesoficecarvedbythesnowthatfliesbeforethewind；andsunkenpitswherethirtyorfortyacreslaybelowtheleveloftherestofthefield。Fromalittledistanceyoumighthavetakenthelumpsforsealorwalrus，overturnedsleighsormenonahuntingexpedition，oreventhegreatTen-leggedWhiteSpirit-Bearhimself；butinspiteofthesefantasticshapes，allontheveryedgeofstartingintolife，therewasneithersoundnortheleastfaintechoofsound。Andthroughthissilenceandthroughthiswaste，wherethesuddenlightsflappedandwentoutagain，thesleighandthetwothatpulleditcrawledlikethingsinanightmare——anightmareoftheendoftheworldattheendoftheworld。
WhentheyweretiredKotukowouldmakewhatthehunterscalla\"half-house，\"averysmallsnowhut，intowhichtheywouldhuddlewiththetravelling-lamp，andtrytothawoutthefrozenseal-meat。Whentheyhadslept，themarchbeganagain——thirtymilesadaytogettenmilesnorthward。Thegirlwasalwaysverysilent，butKotukomutteredtohimselfandbrokeoutintosongshehadlearnedintheSinging-House——summersongs，andreindeerandsalmonsongs——allhorriblyoutofplaceatthatseason。
Hewoulddeclarethatheheardthetornaqgrowlingtohim，andwouldrunwildlyupahummock，tossinghisarmsandspeakinginloud，threateningtones。Totellthetruth，Kotukowasverynearlycrazyforthetimebeing；butthegirlwassurethathewasbeingguidedbyhisguardianspirit，andthateverythingwouldcomeright。Shewasnotsurprised，therefore，whenattheendofthefourthmarchKotuko，whoseeyeswereburninglikefire-ballsinhishead，toldherthathistornaqwasfollowingthemacrossthesnowintheshapeofatwo-headeddog。ThegirllookedwhereKotukopointed，andsomethingseemedtoslipintoaravine。Itwascertainlynothuman，buteverybodyknewthatthetornaitpreferredtoappearintheshapeofbearandseal，andsuchlike。
ItmighthavebeentheTen-leggedWhiteSpirit-Bearhimself，oritmighthavebeenanything，forKotukoandthegirlweresostarvedthattheireyeswereuntrustworthy。Theyhadtrappednothing，andseennotraceofgamesincetheyhadleftthevillage；theirfoodwouldnotholdoutforanotherweek，andtherewasagalecoming。APolarstormcanblowfortendayswithoutabreak，andallthatwhileitiscertaindeathtobeabroad。Kotukolaidupasnow-houselargeenoughtotakeinthehand-sleigh（neverbeseparatedfromyourmeat），andwhilehewasshapingthelastirregularblockoficethatmakesthekey-stoneoftheroof，hesawaThinglookingathimfromalittlecliffoficehalfamileaway。Theairwashazy，andtheThingseemedtobefortyfeetlongandtenfeethigh，withtwentyfeetoftailandashapethatquiveredallalongtheoutlines。Thegirlsawittoo，butinsteadofcryingaloudwithterror，saidquietly，\"ThatisQuiquern。Whatcomesafter？\"
\"Hewillspeaktome，\"saidKotuko；butthesnow-knifetrembledinhishandashespoke，becausehowevermuchamanmaybelievethatheisafriendofstrangeanduglyspirits，heseldomlikestobetakenquiteathisword。Quiquern，too，isthephantomofagigantictoothlessdogwithoutanyhair，whoissupposedtoliveinthefarNorth，andtowanderaboutthecountryjustbeforethingsaregoingtohappen。Theymaybepleasantorunpleasantthings，butnoteventhesorcererscaretospeakaboutQuiquern。Hemakesthedogsgomad。LiketheSpirit-Bear，hehasseveralextrapairsoflegs，——sixoreight，——andthisThingjumpingupanddowninthehazehadmorelegsthananyrealdogneeded。Kotukoandthegirlhuddledintotheirhutquickly。OfcourseifQuiquernhadwantedthem，hecouldhavetornittopiecesabovetheirheads，butthesenseofafoot-
thicksnow-wallbetweenthemselvesandthewickeddarkwasgreatcomfort。Thegalebrokewithashriekofwindliketheshriekofatrain，andforthreedaysandthreenightsitheld，nevervaryingonepoint，andneverlullingevenforaminute。Theyfedthestonelampbetweentheirknees，andnibbledatthehalf-warmseal-meat，andwatchedtheblacksootgatherontheroofforseventy-twolonghours。Thegirlcountedupthefoodinthesleigh；therewasnotmorethantwodays’supply，andKotukolookedovertheironheadsandthedeer-sinewfasteningsofhisharpoonandhisseal-lanceandhisbird-dart。Therewasnothingelsetodo。
\"WeshallgotoSednasoon——verysoon，\"thegirlwhispered。
\"Inthreedaysweshallliedownandgo。Willyourtornaqdonothing？Singheranangekok’ssongtomakehercomehere。\"
Hebegantosinginthehigh-pitchedhowlofthemagicsongs，andthegalewentdownslowly。Inthemiddleofhissongthegirlstarted，laidhermittenedhandandthenherheadtotheicefloorofthehut。Kotukofollowedherexample，andthetwokneeled，staringintoeachother’seyes，andlisteningwitheverynerve。Herippedathinsliverofwhalebonefromtherimofabird-snarethatlayonthesleigh，and，afterstraightening，setituprightinalittleholeintheice，firmingitdownwithhismitten。Itwasalmostasdelicatelyadjustedasacompass-needle，andnowinsteadoflisteningtheywatched。Thethinrodquiveredalittle——theleastlittlejarintheworld；thenitvibratedsteadilyforafewseconds，cametorest，andvibratedagain，thistimenoddingtoanotherpointofthecompass。
\"Toosoon！\"saidKotuko。\"Somebigfloehasbrokenfarawayoutside。\"
Thegirlpointedattherod，andshookherhead。\"Itisthebigbreaking，\"shesaid。\"Listentotheground-ice。Itknocks。\"
Whentheykneeledthistimetheyheardthemostcuriousmuffledgruntsandknockings，apparentlyundertheirfeet。Sometimesitsoundedasthoughablindpuppyweresqueakingabovethelamp；
thenasifastonewerebeinggroundonhardice；andagain，likemuffledblowsonadrum；butalldraggedoutandmadesmall，asthoughtheytravelledthroughalittlehornawearydistanceaway。
\"WeshallnotgotoSednalyingdown，\"saidKotuko。\"Itisthebreaking。Thetornaqhascheatedus。Weshalldie。\"
Allthismaysoundabsurdenough，butthetwowerefacetofacewithaveryrealdanger。Thethreedays’galehaddriventhedeepwaterofBaffin’sBaysoutherly，andpileditontotheedgeofthefar-reachingland-icethatstretchesfromBylot’sIslandtothewest。Also，thestrongcurrentwhichsetseastoutofLancasterSoundcarriedwithitmileuponmileofwhattheycallpack-ice——roughicethathasnotfrozenintofields；
andthispackwasbombardingthefloeatthesametimethattheswellandheaveofthestorm-workedseawasweakeningandunderminingit。WhatKotukoandthegirlhadbeenlisteningtowerethefaintechoesofthatfightthirtyorfortymilesaway，andthelittletell-talerodquiveredtotheshockofit。
Now，astheInuitsay，whentheiceoncewakesafteritslongwintersleep，thereisnoknowingwhatmayhappen，forsolidfloe-icechangesshapealmostasquicklyasacloud。
Thegalewasevidentlyaspringgalesentoutoftime，andanythingwaspossible。
Yetthetwowerehappierintheirmindsthanbefore。Ifthefloebrokeuptherewouldbenomorewaitingandsuffering。Spirits，goblins，andwitch-peopleweremovingaboutontherackingice，andtheymightfindthemselvessteppingintoSedna’scountrysidebysidewithallsortsofwildThings，theflushofexcitementstillonthem。Whentheyleftthehutafterthegale，thenoiseonthehorizonwassteadilygrowing，andthetoughicemoanedandbuzzedallroundthem。
\"Itisstillwaiting，\"saidKotuko。
Onthetopofahummocksatorcrouchedtheeight-leggedThingthattheyhadseenthreedaysbefore——andithowledhorribly。
\"Letusfollow，\"saidthegirl。\"ItmayknowsomewaythatdoesnotleadtoSedna\"；butshereeledfromweaknessasshetookthepulling-rope。TheThingmovedoffslowlyandclumsilyacrosstheridges，headingalwaystowardthewestwardandtheland，andtheyfollowed，whilethegrowlingthunderattheedgeofthefloerollednearerandnearer。Thefloe’slipwassplitandcrackedineverydirectionforthreeorfourmilesinland，andgreatpansoften-foot-thickice，fromafewyardstotwentyacressquare，werejoltingandduckingandsurgingintooneanother，andintotheyetunbrokenfloe，astheheavyswelltookandshookandspoutedbetweenthem。Thisbattering-ramicewas，sotospeak，thefirstarmythattheseawasflingingagainstthefloe。Theincessantcrashandjarofthesecakesalmostdrownedtherippingsoundofsheetsofpack-icedrivenbodilyunderthefloeascardsarehastilypushedunderatablecloth。
Wherethewaterwasshallowthesesheetswouldbepiledoneatopoftheothertillthebottommosttouchedmudfiftyfeetdown，andthediscolouredseabankedbehindthemuddyicetilltheincreasingpressuredroveallforwardagain。Inadditiontothefloeandthepack-ice，thegaleandthecurrentswerebringingdowntruebergs，sailingmountainsofice，snappedofffromtheGreenlandsideofthewaterorthenorthshoreofMelvilleBay。
Theypoundedinsolemnly，thewavesbreakingwhiteroundthem，andadvancedonthefloelikeanold-timefleetunderfullsail。
Abergthatseemedreadytocarrytheworldbeforeitwouldgroundhelplesslyindeepwater，reelover，andwallowinalatheroffoamandmudandflyingfrozenspray，whileamuchsmallerandloweronewouldripandrideintotheflatfloe，flingingtonsoficeoneitherside，andcuttingatrackhalfamilelongbeforeitwasstopped。Somefelllikeswords，shearingaraw-edgedcanal；andotherssplinteredintoashowerofblocks，weighingscoresoftonsapiece，thatwhirledandskirtedamongthehummocks。Others，again，roseupbodilyoutofthewaterwhentheyshoaled，twistedasthoughinpain，andfellsolidlyontheirsides，whiletheseathreshedovertheirshoulders。Thistramplingandcrowdingandbendingandbucklingandarchingoftheiceintoeverypossibleshapewasgoingonasfarastheeyecouldreachallalongthenorthlineofthefloe。
>FromwhereKotukoandthegirlwere，theconfusionlookednomorethananuneasy，rippling，crawlingmovementunderthehorizon；butitcametowardthemeachmoment，andtheycouldhear，farawaytolandwardaheavybooming，asitmighthavebeentheboomofartillerythroughafog。ThatshowedthatthefloewasbeingjammedhomeagainsttheironcliffsofBylot’sIsland，thelandtothesouthwardbehindthem。
\"Thishasneverbeenbefore，\"saidKotuko，staringstupidly。
\"Thisisnotthetime。HowcanthefloebreakNOW？\"
\"FollowTHAT！thegirlcried，pointingtotheThinghalflimping，halfrunningdistractedlybeforethem。Theyfollowed，tuggingatthehand-sleigh，whilenearerandnearercametheroaringmarchoftheice。Atlastthefieldsroundthemcrackedandstarredineverydirection，andthecracksopenedandsnappedliketheteethofwolves。ButwheretheThingrested，onamoundofoldandscatteredice-blockssomefiftyfeethigh，therewasnomotion。Kotukoleapedforwardwildly，draggingthegirlafterhim，andcrawledtothebottomofthemound。
Thetalkingoftheicegrewlouderandlouderroundthem，butthemoundstayedfast，and，asthegirllookedathim，hethrewhisrightelbowupwardandoutward，makingtheInuitsignforlandintheshapeofanisland。Andlanditwasthattheeight-legged，limpingThinghadledthemto——somegranite-
tipped，sand-beachedisletoffthecoast，shodandsheathedandmaskedwithicesothatnomancouldhavetolditfromthefloe，butatthebottomsolidearth，andnotshiftingice！
Thesmashingandreboundofthefloesastheygroundedandsplinteredmarkedthebordersofit，andafriendlyshoalranouttothenorthward，andturnedasidetherushoftheheaviestice，exactlyasaploughshareturnsoverloam。Therewasdanger，ofcourse，thatsomeheavilysqueezedice-fieldmightshootupthebeach，andplaneoffthetopoftheisletbodily；butthatdidnottroubleKotukoandthegirlwhentheymadetheirsnow-
houseandbegantoeat，andheardtheicehammerandskidalongthebeach。TheThinghaddisappeared，andKotukowastalkingexcitedlyabouthispoweroverspiritsashecrouchedroundthelamp。Inthemiddleofhiswildsayingsthegirlbegantolaugh，androckherselfbackwardandforward。
Behindhershoulder，crawlingintothehutcrawlbycrawl，thereweretwoheads，oneyellowandoneblack，thatbelongedtotwoofthemostsorrowfulandashameddogsthateveryousaw。
Kotukothedogwasone，andtheblackleaderwastheother。
Bothwerenowfat，well-looking，andquiterestoredtotheirproperminds，butcoupledtoeachotherinanextraordinaryfashion。Whentheblackleaderranoff，youremember，hisharnesswasstillonhim。HemusthavemetKotukothedog，andplayedorfoughtwithhim，forhisshoulder-loophadcaughtintheplaitedcopperwireofKotuko’scollar，andhaddrawntight，sothatneithercouldgetatthetracetognawitapart，buteachwasfastenedsidelongtohisneighbour’sneck。
That，withthefreedomofhuntingontheirownaccount，musthavehelpedtocuretheirmadness。Theywereverysober。
ThegirlpushedthetwoshamefacedcreaturestowardsKotuko，and，sobbingwithlaughter，cried，\"ThatisQuiquern，wholedustosafeground。Lookathiseightlegsanddoublehead！\"
Kotukocutthemfree，andtheyfellintohisarms，yellowandblacktogether，tryingtoexplainhowtheyhadgottheirsensesbackagain。Kotukoranahanddowntheirribs，whichwereroundandwellclothed。\"Theyhavefoundfood，\"hesaid，withagrin。
\"IdonotthinkweshallgotoSednasosoon。Mytornaqsentthese。Thesicknesshasleftthem。\"
AssoonastheyhadgreetedKotuko，thesetwo，whohadbeenforcedtosleepandeatandhunttogetherforthepastfewweeks，flewateachother’sthroat，andtherewasabeautifulbattleinthesnow-house。\"Emptydogsdonotfight，\"
Kotukosaid。\"Theyhavefoundtheseal。Letussleep。Weshallfindfood。\"
Whentheywakedtherewasopenwateronthenorthbeachoftheisland，andalltheloosenedicehadbeendrivenlandward。
ThefirstsoundofthesurfisoneofthemostdelightfulthattheInuitcanhear，foritmeansthatspringisontheroad。
Kotukoandthegirltookholdofhandsandsmiled，fortheclear，fullroarofthesurgeamongtheiceremindedthemofsalmonandreindeertimeandthesmellofblossomingground-
willows。Evenastheylooked，theseabegantoskimoverbetweenthefloatingcakesofice，sointensewasthecold；butonthehorizontherewasavastredglare，andthatwasthelightofthesunkensun。Itwasmorelikehearinghimyawninhissleepthanseeinghimrise，andtheglarelastedforonlyafewminutes，butitmarkedtheturnoftheyear。Nothing，theyfelt，couldalterthat。
Kotukofoundthedogsfightingoverafresh-killedsealwhowasfollowingthefishthatagalealwaysdisturbs。Hewasthefirstofsometwentyorthirtysealthatlandedontheislandinthecourseoftheday，andtilltheseafrozehardtherewerehundredsofkeenblackheadsrejoicingintheshallowfreewaterandfloatingaboutwiththefloatingice。
Itwasgoodtoeatseal-liveragain；tofillthelampsrecklesslywithblubber，andwatchtheflameblazethreefeetintheair；butassoonasthenewsea-icebore，Kotukoandthegirlloadedthehand-sleigh，andmadethetwodogspullastheyhadneverpulledintheirlives，fortheyfearedwhatmighthavehappenedintheirvillage。Theweatherwasaspitilessasusual；
butitiseasiertodrawasleighloadedwithgoodfoodthantohuntstarving。Theyleftfive-and-twentysealcarcassesburiedintheiceofthebeach，allreadyforuse，andhurriedbacktotheirpeople。ThedogsshowedthemthewayassoonasKotukotoldthemwhatwasexpected，andthoughtherewasnosignofalandmark，intwodaystheyweregivingtongueoutsideKadlu’shouse。Onlythreedogsansweredthem；theothershadbeeneaten，andthehouseswerealldark。ButwhenKotukoshouted，\"Ojo！\"
（boiledmeat），weakvoicesreplied，andwhenhecalledthemusterofthevillagenamebyname，verydistinctly，therewerenogapsinit。
AnhourlaterthelampsblazedinKadlu’shouse；snow-waterwasheating；thepotswerebeginningtosimmer，andthesnowwasdrippingfromtheroof，asAmoraqmadereadyamealforallthevillage，andtheboy-babyinthehoodchewedatastripofrichnuttyblubber，andthehuntersslowlyandmethodicallyfilledthemselvestotheverybrimwithseal-meat。Kotukoandthegirltoldtheirtale。Thetwodogssatbetweenthem，andwhenevertheirnamescamein，theycockedanearapieceandlookedmostthoroughlyashamedofthemselves。Adogwhohasoncegonemadandrecovered，theInuitsay，issafeagainstallfurtherattacks。
\"Sothetornaqdidnotforgetus，\"saidKotuko。Thestormblew，theicebroke，andthesealswaminbehindthefishthatwerefrightenedbythestorm。Nowthenewseal-holesarenottwodaysdistant。Letthegoodhuntersgoto-morrowandbringbackthesealIhavespeared——twenty-fivesealburiedintheice。Whenwehaveeatenthosewewillallfollowthesealonthefloe。\"
\"WhatdoYOUdo？\"saidthesorcererinthesamesortofvoiceasheusedtoKadlu，richestoftheTununirmiut。
KadlulookedatthegirlfromtheNorth，andsaidquietly，\"WEbuildahouse。\"Hepointedtothenorth-westsideofKadlu’shouse，forthatisthesideonwhichthemarriedsonordaughteralwayslives。
Thegirlturnedherhandspalmupward，withalittledespairingshakeofherhead。Shewasaforeigner，pickedupstarving，andcouldbringnothingtothehousekeeping。
Amoraqjumpedfromthebenchwhereshesat，andbegantosweepthingsintothegirl’slap——stonelamps，ironskin-scrapers，tinkettles，deer-skinsembroideredwithmusk-oxteeth，andrealcanvas-needlessuchassailorsuse——thefinestdowrythathaseverbeengivenonthefaredgeoftheArcticCircle，andthegirlfromtheNorthbowedherheaddowntotheveryfloor。
\"Alsothese！\"saidKotuko，laughingandsigningtothedogs，whothrusttheircoldmuzzlesintothegirl’sface。
\"Ah，\"saidtheangekok，withanimportantcough，asthoughhehadbeenthinkingitallover。\"AssoonasKotukoleftthevillageIwenttotheSinging-Houseandsangmagic。Isangallthelongnights，andcalledupontheSpiritoftheReindeer。
MYsingingmadethegaleblowthatbroketheiceanddrewthetwodogstowardKotukowhentheicewouldhavecrushedhisbones。MYsongdrewthesealinbehindthebrokenice。
Mybodylaystillinthequaggi，butmyspiritranaboutontheice，andguidedKotukoandthedogsinallthethingstheydid。
Ididit。\"
Everybodywasfullandsleepy，sonoonecontradicted；andtheangekok，byvirtueofhisoffice，helpedhimselftoyetanotherlumpofboiledmeat，andlaydowntosleepwiththeothersinthewarm，well-lighted，oil-smellinghome……
NowKotuko，whodrewverywellintheInuitfashion，scratchedpicturesofalltheseadventuresonalong，flatpieceofivorywithaholeatoneend。WhenheandthegirlwentnorthtoEllesmereLandintheyearoftheWonderfulOpenWinter，heleftthepicture-storywithKadlu，wholostitintheshinglewhenhisdog-sleighbrokedownonesummeronthebeachofLakeNetillingatNikosiring，andthereaLakeInuitfounditnextspringandsoldittoamanatImigenwhowasinterpreteronaCumberlandSoundwhaler，andhesoldittoHansOlsen，whowasafterwardaquartermasteronboardabigsteamerthattooktouriststotheNorthCapeinNorway。Whenthetouristseasonwasover，thesteamerranbetweenLondonandAustralia，stoppingatCeylon，andthereOlsensoldtheivorytoaCingalesejewellerfortwoimitationsapphires。IfounditundersomerubbishinahouseatColombo，andhavetranslateditfromoneendtotheother。
’ANGUTIVAUNTAINA’
[ThisisaveryfreetranslationoftheSongoftheReturningHunter，asthemenusedtosingitafterseal-spearing。
TheInuitalwaysrepeatthingsoverandoveragain。]
Ourglovesarestiffwiththefrozenblood，Ourfurswiththedriftedsnow，Aswecomeinwiththeseal——theseal！
Infromtheedgeofthefloe。
Aujana！Aua！Oha！Haq！
Andtheyelpingdog-teamsgo，Andthelongwhipscrack，andthemencomeback，Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！
Wetrackedoursealtohissecretplace，Weheardhimscratchbelow，Wemadeourmark，andwewatchedbeside，Outontheedgeofthefloe。
Weraisedourlancewhenherosetobreathe，Wedroveitdownward——so！
Andweplayedhimthus，andwekilledhimthus，Outontheedgeofthefloe。
Ourglovesaregluedwiththefrozenblood，Oureyeswiththedriftingsnow；
Butwecomebacktoourwivesagain，Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！
Aujana！Aua！Oha！Haq！
Andtheloadeddog-teamsgo，Andthewivescanheartheirmencomeback。
Backfromtheedgeofthefloe！
REDDOG
Forourwhiteandourexcellentnights——-forthenightsofswiftrunning。
Fairranging，farseeing，goodhunting，surecunning！
Forthesmellsofthedawning，untainted，eredewhasdeparted！
Fortherushthroughthemist，andthequarryblind-started！
Forthecryofourmateswhenthesambhurhaswheeledandisstandingatbay，Fortheriskandtheriotofnight！
Forthesleepatthelair-mouthbyday，Itismet，andwegotothefight。
Bay！OBay！
ItwasafterthelettinginoftheJunglethatthepleasantestpartofMowgli’slifebegan。Hehadthegoodconsciencethatcomesfrompayingdebts；alltheJunglewashisfriend，andjustalittleafraidofhim。Thethingsthathedidandsawandheardwhenhewaswanderingfromonepeopletoanother，withorwithouthisfourcompanions，wouldmakemanymanystories，eachaslongasthisone。SoyouwillneverbetoldhowhemettheMadElephantofMandla，whokilledtwo-and-twentybullocksdrawingelevencartsofcoinedsilvertotheGovernmentTreasury，andscatteredtheshinyrupeesinthedust；howhefoughtJacala，theCrocodile，allonelongnightintheMarshesoftheNorth，andbrokehisskinning-knifeonthebrute’sback-
plates；howhefoundanewandlongerkniferoundtheneckofamanwhohadbeenkilledbyawildboar，andhowhetrackedthatboarandkilledhimasafairpricefortheknife；howhewascaughtuponceintheGreatFamine，bythemovingofthedeer，andnearlycrushedtodeathintheswayinghotherds；howhesavedHathitheSilentfrombeingoncemoretrappedinapitwithastakeatthebottom，andhow，nextday，hehimselffellintoaverycunningleopard-trap，andhowHathibrokethethickwoodenbarstopiecesabovehim；howhemilkedthewildbuffaloesintheswamp，andhow————
Butwemusttellonetaleatatime。FatherandMotherWolfdied，andMowglirolledabigboulderagainstthemouthoftheircave，andcriedtheDeathSongoverthem；Baloogrewveryoldandstiff，andevenBagheera，whosenervesweresteelandwhosemuscleswereiron，wasashadesloweronthekillthanhehadbeen。Akelaturnedfromgraytomilkywhitewithpureage；
hisribsstuckout，andhewalkedasthoughhehadbeenmadeofwood，andMowglikilledforhim。Buttheyoungwolves，thechildrenofthedisbandedSeeoneePack，throveandincreased，andwhentherewereaboutfortyofthem，masterless，full-voiced，clean-footedfive-year-olds，AkelatoldthemthattheyoughttogatherthemselvestogetherahdfollowtheLaw，andrununderonehead，asbefittedtheFreePeople。
ThiswasnotaquestioninwhichMowgliconcernedhimself，for，ashesaid，hehadeatensourfruit，andheknewthetreeithungfrom；butwhenPhao，sonofPhaona（hisfatherwastheGrayTrackerinthedaysofAkela’sheadship），foughthiswaytotheleadershipofthePack，accordingtotheJungleLaw，andtheoldcallsandsongsbegantoringunderthestarsoncemore，MowglicametotheCouncilRockformemory’ssake。WhenhechosetospeakthePackwaitedtillhehadfinished，andhesatatAkela’ssideontherockabovePhao。Thoseweredaysofgoodhuntingandgoodsleeping。NostrangercaredtobreakintothejunglesthatbelongedtoMowgli’speople，astheycalledthePack，andtheyoungwolvesgrewfatandstrong，andthereweremanycubstobringtotheLooking-over。MowglialwaysattendedaLooking-over，rememberingthenightwhenablackpantherboughtanakedbrownbabyintothepack，andthelongcall，\"Look，lookwell，OWolves，\"madehisheartflutter。Otherwise，hewouldbefarawayintheJunglewithhisfourbrothers，tasting，touching，seeing，andfeelingnewthings。
OnetwilightwhenhewastrottingleisurelyacrosstherangestogiveAkelathehalfofabuckthathehadkilled，whiletheFourjoggedbehindhim，sparringalittle，andtumblingoneanotheroverforjoyofbeingalive，heheardacrythathadneverbeenheardsincethebaddaysofShereKhan。ItwaswhattheycallintheJunglethepheeal，ahideouskindofshriekthatthejackalgiveswhenheishuntingbehindatiger，orwhenthereisabigkillingafoot。Ifyoucanimagineamixtureofhate，triumph，fear，anddespair，withakindofleerrunningthroughit，youwillgetsomenotionofthepheealthatroseandsankandwaveredandquaveredfarawayacrosstheWaingunga。
TheFourstoppedatonce，bristlingandgrowling。Mowgli’shandwenttohisknife，andhechecked，thebloodinhisface，hiseyebrowsknotted。
\"ThereisnoStripedOnedarekillhere，\"hesaid。
\"ThatisnotthecryoftheForerunner，\"answeredGrayBrother。
\"Itissomegreatkilling。Listen！\"
Itbrokeoutagain，halfsobbingandhalfchuckling，justasthoughthejackalhadsofthumanlips。ThenMowglidrewdeepbreath，andrantotheCouncilRock，overtakingonhiswayhurryingwolvesofthePack。PhaoandAkelawereontheRocktogether，andbelowthem，everynervestrained，sattheothers。
Themothersandthecubswerecanteringofftotheirlairs；
forwhenthepheealcriesitisnotimeforweakthingstobeabroad。
TheycouldhearnothingexcepttheWaingungarushingandgurglinginthedark，andthelighteveningwindsamongthetree-tops，tillsuddenlyacrosstheriverawolfcalled。ItwasnowolfofthePack，fortheywereallattheRock。Thenotechangedtoalong，despairingbay；and\"Dhole！\"itsaid，\"Dhole！
dhole！dhole！\"Theyheardtiredfeetontherocks，andagauntwolf，streakedwithredonhisflanks，hisrightfore-pawuseless，andhisjawswhitewithfoam，flunghimselfintothecircleandlaygaspingatMowgli’sfeet。
\"Goodhunting！UnderwhoseHeadship？\"saidPhaogravely。
\"Goodhunting！Won-tollaamI，\"wastheanswer。Hemeantthathewasasolitarywolf，fendingforhimself，hismate，andhiscubsinsomelonelylair，asdomanywolvesinthesouth。
Won-tollameansanOutlier——onewholiesoutfromanyPack。
Thenhepanted，andtheycouldseehisheart-beatsshakehimbackwardandforward。
\"Whatmoves？\"saidPhao，forthatisthequestionalltheJungleasksafterthepheealcries。
\"Thedhole，thedholeoftheDekkan——RedDog，theKiller！
TheycamenorthfromthesouthsayingtheDekkanwasemptyandkillingoutbytheway。Whenthismoonwasnewtherewerefourtome——mymateandthreecubs。Shewouldteachthemtokillonthegrassplains，hidingtodrivethebuck，aswedowhoareoftheopen。AtmidnightIheardthemtogether，fulltongueonthetrail。Atthedawn-windIfoundthemstiffinthegrass——four，FreePeople，fourwhenthismoonwasnew。ThensoughtImyBlood-Rightandfoundthedhole。\"
\"Howmany？\"saidMowgliquickly；thePackgrowleddeepintheirthroats。
\"Idonotknow。Threeofthemwillkillnomore，butatthelasttheydrovemelikethebuck；onmythreelegstheydroveme。
Look，FreePeople！\"
Hethrustouthismangledfore-foot，alldarkwithdriedblood。
Therewerecruelbiteslowdownonhisside，andhisthroatwastornandworried。
\"Eat，\"saidAkela，risingupfromthemeatMowglihadbroughthim，andtheOutlierflunghimselfonit。
\"Thisshallbenoloss，\"hesaidhumbly，whenhehadtakenoffthefirstedgeofhishunger。\"Givemealittlestrength，FreePeople，andIalsowillkill。Mylairisemptythatwasfullwhenthismoonwasnew，andtheBloodDebtisnotallpaid。\"
Phaoheardhisteethcrackonahaunch-boneandgruntedapprovingly。
\"Weshallneedthosejaws，\"saidhe。\"Weretherecubswiththedhole？\"
\"Nay，nay。RedHuntersall：growndogsoftheirPack，heavyandstrongforallthattheyeatlizardsintheDekkan。\"
WhatWon-tollahadsaidmeantthatthedhole，theredhunting-
dogoftheDekkan，wasmovingtokill，andthePackknewwellthateventhetigerwillsurrenderanewkilltothedhole。
TheydrivestraightthroughtheJungle，andwhattheymeettheypulldownandteartopieces。Thoughtheyarenotasbignorhalfascunningasthewolf，theyareverystrongandverynumerous。Thedhole，forinstance，donotbegintocallthemselvesapacktilltheyareahundredstrong；whereasfortywolvesmakeaveryfairpackindeed。Mowgli’swanderingshadtakenhimtotheedgeofthehighgrassydownsoftheDekkan，andhehadseenthefearlessdholessleepingandplayingandscratchingthemselvesinthelittlehollowsandtussocksthattheyuseforlairs。HedespisedandhatedthembecausetheydidnotsmellliketheFreePeople，becausetheydidnotliveincaves，and，aboveall，becausetheyhadhairbetweentheirtoeswhileheandhisfriendswereclean-footed。Butheknew，forHathihadtoldhim，whataterriblethingadholehunting-packwas。EvenHathimovesasidefromtheirline，anduntiltheyarekilled，ortillgameisscarce，theywillgoforward。
Akelaknewsomethingofthedholes，too，forhesaidtoMowgliquietly，\"ItisbettertodieinaFullPackthanleaderlessandalone。Thisisgoodhunting，and——mylast。But，asmenlive，thouhastverymanymorenightsanddays，LittleBrother。
Gonorthandliedown，andifanyliveafterthedholehasgonebyheshallbringtheewordofthefight。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMowgli，quitegravely，\"mustIgotothemarshesandcatchlittlefishandsleepinatree，ormustIaskhelpoftheBandar-logandcracknuts，whilethePackfightbelow？\"
\"Itistothedeath，\"saidAkela。\"Thouhastnevermetthedhole——theRedKiller。EventheStripedOne————\"
\"Aowa！Aowa！\"saidMowglipettingly。\"Ihavekilledonestripedape，andsureamIinmystomachthatShereKhanwouldhavelefthisownmateformeattothedholeifhehadwindedapackacrossthreeranges。Listennow：Therewasawolf，myfather，andtherewasawolf，mymother，andtherewasanoldgraywolf（nottoowise：heiswhitenow）wasmyfatherandmymother。
ThereforeI——\"heraisedhisvoice，\"Isaythatwhenthedholecome，andifthedholecome，MowgliandtheFreePeopleareofoneskinforthathunting；andIsay，bytheBullthatboughtme——bytheBullBagheerapaidformeintheolddayswhichyeofthePackdonotremember——_I_say，thattheTreesandtheRivermayhearandholdfastifIforget；_I_saythatthismyknifeshallbeasatoothtothePack——andIdonotthinkitissoblunt。ThisismyWordwhichhasgonefromme。\"
\"Thoudostnotknowthedhole，manwithawolf’stongue，\"saidWon-tolla。\"IlookonlytocleartheBloodDebtagainstthemeretheyhavemeinmanypieces。Theymoveslowly，killingoutastheygo，butintwodaysalittlestrengthwillcomebacktomeandIturnagainfortheBloodDebt。ButforYE，FreePeople，mywordisthatyegonorthandeatbutlittleforawhiletillthedholearegone。Thereisnomeatinthishunting。\"
\"HeartheOutlier！\"saidMowgliwithalaugh。FreePeople，wemustgonorthanddiglizardsandratsfromthebank，lestbyanychancewemeetthedhole。Hemustkilloutourhunting-
grounds，whileweliehidinthenorthtillitpleasehimtogiveusourownagain。Heisadog——andthepupofadog——red，yellow-bellied，lairless，andhairedbetweeneverytoe！
Hecountshiscubssixandeightatthelitter，asthoughhewereChikai，thelittleleapingrat。Surelywemustrunaway，FreePeople，andbegleaveofthepeoplesofthenorthfortheoffalofdeadcattle！Yeknowthesaying：’Northarethevermin；
southarethelice。WEaretheJungle。’Chooseye，Ochoose。
Itisgoodhunting！ForthePack——fortheFullPack——forthelairandthelitter；forthein-killandtheout-kill；forthematethatdrivesthedoeandthelittle，littlecubwithinthecave；itismet！——itismet！——itismet！\"
ThePackansweredwithonedeep，crashingbarkthatsoundedinthenightlikeabigtreefalling。\"Itismet！\"theycried。
\"Staywiththese，\"saidMowglitotheFour。Weshallneedeverytooth。PhaoandAkelamustmakereadythebattle。Igotocountthedogs。\"
\"Itisdeath！\"Won-tollacried，halfrising。WhatcansuchahairlessonedoagainsttheRedDog？EventheStripedOne，remember————\"
\"ThouartindeedanOutlier，\"Mowglicalledback；\"butwewillspeakwhenthedholesaredead。Goodhuntingall！\"
Hehurriedoffintothedarkness，wildwithexcitement，hardlylookingwherehesetfoot，andthenaturalconsequencewasthathetrippedfulllengthoverKaa’sgreatcoilswherethepythonlaywatchingadeer-pathneartheriver。
\"Kssha！\"saidKaaangrily。\"Isthisjungle-work，tostampandtrampandundoanight’shunting——whenthegamearemovingsowell，too？\"
\"Thefaultwasmine，\"saidMowgli，pickinghimselfup。\"IndeedIwasseekingthee，Flathead，buteachtimewemeetthouartlongerandbroaderbythelengthofmyarm。ThereisnoneliketheeintheJungle，wise，old，strong，andmostbeautifulKaa。\"
\"NowwhitherdoesTHIStraillead？\"Kaa’svoicewasgentler。
\"NotamoonsincetherewasaManlingwithaknifethrewstonesatmyheadandcalledmebadlittletree-catnames，becauseI
layasleepintheopen。\"
\"Ay，andturnedeverydrivendeertoallthewinds，andMowgliwashunting，andthissameFlatheadwastoodeaftohearhiswhistle，andleavethedeer-roadsfree，\"Mowgliansweredcomposedly，sittingdownamongthepaintedcoils。
\"NowthissameManlingcomeswithsoft，ticklingwordstothissameFlathead，tellinghimthatheiswiseandstrongandbeautiful，andthissameoldFlatheadbelievesandmakesaplace，thus，forthissamestone-throwingManling，and——Artthouateasenow？CouldBagheeragivetheesogoodaresting-place？\"
Kaahad，asusual，madeasortofsofthalf-hammockofhimselfunderMowgli’sweight。Theboyreachedoutinthedarkness，andgatheredinthesupplecable-likenecktillKaa’sheadrestedonhisshoulder，andthenhetoldhimallthathadhappenedintheJunglethatnight。
\"WiseImaybe，\"saidKaaattheend；\"butdeafIsurelyam。
ElseIshouldhaveheardthepheeal。SmallwondertheEatersofGrassareuneasy。Howmanybethedhole？\"
\"Ihavenotyetseen。Icamehot-foottothee。ThouartolderthanHathi。Butoh，Kaa，\"——hereMowgliwriggledwithsheerjoy，——
\"itwillbegoodhunting。Fewofuswillseeanothermoon。\"
\"DostTHOUstrikeinthis？RememberthouartaMan；andrememberwhatPackcasttheeout。LettheWolflooktotheDog。THOUartaMan。\"
\"Lastyear’snutsarethisyear’sblackearth，\"saidMowgli。
\"ItistruethatIamaMan，butitisinmystomachthatthisnightIhavesaidthatIamaWolf。IcalledtheRiverandtheTreestoremember。IamoftheFreePeople，Kaa，tillthedholehasgoneby。\"
\"FreePeople，\"Kaagrunted。\"Freethieves！Andthouhasttiedthyselfintothedeath-knotforthesakeofthememoryofthedeadwolves？Thisisnogoodhunting。\"
\"ItismyWordwhichIhavespoken。TheTreesknow，theRiverknows。TillthedholehavegonebymyWordcomesnotbacktome。\"
\"Ngssh！Thischangesalltrails。Ihadthoughttotaketheeawaywithmetothenorthernmarshes，buttheWord——eventheWordofalittle，naked，hairlessManling——istheWord。
NowI，Kaa，say————\"
\"Thinkwell，Flathead，lestthoutiethyselfintothedeath-knotalso。IneednoWordfromthee，forwellIknow————\"
\"Beitso，then，\"saidKaa。\"IwillgivenoWord；butwhatisinthystomachtodowhenthedholecome？\"
\"TheymustswimtheWaingunga。Ithoughttomeetthemwithmyknifeintheshallows，thePackbehindme；andsostabbingandthrusting，wealittlemightturnthemdown-stream，orcooltheirthroats。\"
\"Thedholedonotturnandtheirthroatsarehot，\"saidKaa。
\"TherewillbeneitherManlingnorWolf-cubwhenthathuntingisdone，butonlydrybones。\"
\"Alala！Ifwedie，wedie。Itwillbemostgoodhunting。Butmystomachisyoung，andIhavenotseenmanyRains。Iamnotwisenorstrong。Hastthouabetterplan，Kaa？\"
\"IhaveseenahundredandahundredRains。EreHathicasthismilk-tushesmytrailwasbiginthedust。BytheFirstEgg，Iamolderthanmanytrees，andIhaveseenallthattheJunglehasdone。\"
\"ButTHISisnewhunting，\"saidMowgli。\"Neverbeforehavethedholecrossedourtrail。\"
\"Whatishasbeen。Whatwillbeisnomorethanaforgottenyearstrikingbackward。BestillwhileIcountthosemyyears。\"
ForalonghourMowglilaybackamongthecoils，whileKaa，hisheadmotionlessontheground，thoughtofallthathehadseenandknownsincethedayhecamefromtheegg。Thelightseemedtogooutofhiseyesandleavethemlikestaleopals，andnowandagainhemadelittlestiffpasseswithhishead，rightandleft，asthoughhewerehuntinginhissleep。
Mowglidozedquietly，forheknewthatthereisnothinglikesleepbeforehunting，andhewastrainedtotakeitatanyhourofthedayornight。
ThenhefeltKaa’sbackgrowbiggerandbroaderbelowhimasthehugepythonpuffedhimselfout，hissingwiththenoiseofasworddrawnfromasteelscabbard。
\"Ihaveseenallthedeadseasons，\"Kaasaidatlast，\"andthegreattreesandtheoldelephants，andtherocksthatwerebareandsharp-pointederethemossgrew。ArtTHOUstillalive，Manling？\"
\"Itisonlyalittleaftermoonset，\"saidMowgli。Idonotunderstand————\"
\"Hssh！IamagainKaa。Iknewitwasbutalittletime。Nowwewillgototheriver，andIwillshowtheewhatistobedoneagainstthedhole。\"
Heturned，straightasanarrow，forthemainstreamoftheWaingunga，plunginginalittleabovethepoolthathidthePeaceRock，Mowgliathisside。
\"Nay，donotswim。Igoswiftly。Myback，LittleBrother。\"
MowglituckedhisleftarmroundKaa’sneck，droppedhisrightclosetohisbody，andstraightenedhisfeet。ThenKaabreastedthecurrentashealonecould，andtherippleofthecheckedwaterstoodupinafrillroundMowgli’sneck，andhisfeetwerewavedtoandfrointheeddyunderthepython’slashingsides。
AmileortwoabovethePeaceRocktheWaingunganarrowsbetweenagorgeofmarblerocksfromeightytoahundredfeethigh，andthecurrentrunslikeamill-racebetweenandoverallmannerofuglystones。ButMowglididnottroublehisheadaboutthewater；littlewaterintheworldcouldhavegivenhimamoment’sfear。Hewaslookingatthegorgeoneithersideandsniffinguneasily，fortherewasasweetish-sourishsmellintheair，verylikethesmellofabigant-hillonahotday。
Instinctivelyheloweredhimselfinthewater，onlyraisinghisheadtobreathefromtimetotime，andKaacametoanchorwithadoubletwistofhistailroundasunkenrock，holdingMowgliinthehollowofacoil，whilethewaterracedon。
\"ThisisthePlaceofDeath，\"saidtheboy。\"Whydowecomehere？\"
\"Theysleep，\"saidKaa。\"HathiwillnotturnasidefortheStripedOne。YetHathiandtheStripedOnetogetherturnasideforthedhole，andthedholetheysayturnasidefornothing。
AndyetforwhomdotheLittlePeopleoftheRocksturnaside？
Tellme，MasteroftheJungle，whoistheMasteroftheJungle？\"
\"These，\"Mowgliwhispered。\"ItisthePlaceofDeath。