t
from those great blocks of ice right away in and out to the sea."

"All but in that one place not so very far from where we left the boat."

"Yes; the ice-floe was thrust right over it there. It may have choked
it up, but perhaps there is a way under the ice. Great floes like that
in motion yesterday would easily be thrust right over such a narrow
canal. Look what has been done here."

"Then, if we can row right through to the sea that will be grand," said
Steve; "because it will make it so easy if we can explore along the
coast in the boat."

"Yes, sir, and so much better for the seal and walrus-hunting. Shall we
go on now, gentlemen?"

"Yes," said Captain Marsham. "Where do you make out the herd to be
lying now?"

"About a quarter of a mile from the other side of this pile, sir,
straight away toward the sea. Be careful to keep out of sight."

The stalk was resumed, and slowly and carefully all crept along in
single file, keeping to the depressions and rugged passages between the
masses of ice.

It was a most laborious struggle, for the necessity of keeping out of
sight forced all to go down in the most difficult places, and at times
to lie flat and crawl and drag themselves over the higher portions which
they had to cross.

But the excitement kept them well to their work, and in almost perfect
silence they progressed till a sheltered nook was reached behind a ridge
formed by the tilting of one of the ice-fields which had been forced
ashore. Here they paused again to regain breath and steadiness of hand,
for the exertion was great to reach this advantageous spot, just beyond
which the walrus lay, the sea being close at hand. There was only a
rough slope formed by the edge of the floe now lying at an angle of
about thirty-five degrees for them to mount, rest their rifles on the
edge, take aim each at the one he selected, and fire.

Johannes had directed the captain on the course taken, he seeming to
know, as if by instinct, the way to bear and regain the straight line
marked out when they had been turned aside by an obstacle; and now,
after pointing out to the leader where to take his place, and then by
signs only indicating the doctor's, he turned to Steve, placed his lips
to the boy's ear, and said:

"Creep up slowly without a sound, slip your gun over, and take aim at
one of the walrus that is side on to you. It is of no use to shoot
anywhere; it must be straight behind the eye, and about six