The Giant of the North

CHAPTER ONE.

INTRODUCES OUR HERO AND HIS KINDRED.

The Giant was an Eskimo of the Arctic regions. At the beginning of his
career he was known among his kindred by the name of Skreekinbroot, or
the howler, because he howled oftener and more furiously than any infant
that had ever been born in Arctic land. His proper name, however, was
Chingatok, though his familiars still ventured occasionally to style him
Skreekinbroot.

Now it must not be supposed that our giant was one of those ridiculous
myths of the nursery, with monstrous heads and savage hearts, who live
on human flesh, and finally receive their deserts at the hands of famous
giant-killing Jacks. No! Chingatok was a real man of moderate size--
not more than seven feet two in his sealskin boots--with a lithe,
handsome figure, immense chest and shoulders, a gentle disposition, and
a fine, though flattish countenance, which was sometimes grave with
thought, at other times rippling with fun.