"Beware of where you stand!" sang out Chet. "The shore is cracked all along here!" This was true, and all were in danger of going down. The ice was the most rotten they had yet encountered--why, they could not tell. Working with care, they at last turned the floating mass shoreward, until it bumped lightly. But just as they did this, the ice at their feet began to give way. "Jump for it! Don't wait!" yelled Barwell Dawson, and Andy jumped, and so did Olalola. The latter tried to drive the dogs, but ere he could do so the peg came up, allowing the rope to free itself, and off floated the big cake again, carrying the dogs, sledge, and supplies with it. Andy and Olalola got into water up to their knees, but managed to throw themselves headlong on the firm ice and roll over and over to safety. "I'm glad to see you safe," said Mr. Dawson, "but it's too bad about those dogs and the supplies." "Can't we get them in?" asked Professor Jeffers. "We can try it." They did try it. But just below where they stood the lead widened out, and another lead cut crosswise, so their further progress was barred. They stood on the edge of the ice watching the dogs and sledge disappear around a hill to the north of the lead. The dogs howled dismally, as if knowing they were doomed. The loss of so many dogs and so much of their outfit sobered the entire party, and Estankawak berated Olalola soundly for allowing the team to get away from him. Estankawak had been faint-hearted for several days, and now he came to Barwell Dawson and advised that all turn back. "We cannot reach the Big Nail," said he. "We have not enough food and not enough dogs." By the "Big Nail" he meant the North Pole. "We have certainly suffered a severe loss, but I think we can reach the Pole anyway," answered Mr. Dawson. "Estankawak wants to go back." "Very well, you can go back if you want to,--but you'll have to go alone." This, of course, did not suit the Esquimau at all. He said he wanted the other Esquimaux to go with him, and walked away, grumbling to himself. "He'll have to be watched," said Chet to Andy, when he heard of this talk. "Right you are," answered his chum. Andy had not suffered from his adventure, but it must be confessed that he had been badly scared. On the following morning, while they were still trying to get over the lead, a strong wind came up from the northeast. This began to move the ice on the north shore, and in less than six hours the lead was completely choked up with it. When they looked at this transformation, the boys could scarcely believe their eyesight. "Now is our chance!" cried Barwell Dawson. "Olalola says it is perfectly safe to cross the ice, although it will be a terribly rough journey." They went forward, Estankawak most unwillingly, and inside of two hours left the lead behind them. They now struck ice that was comparatively smooth, so progress became more rapid. By the next day they were within just a hundred miles of their goal.