On the way the party managed to pick up some small game, and Barwell Dawson showed his skill by hitting a partridge at a great distance. He shot with ease, showing that he was thoroughly familiar with the use of firearms. He even gave the boys "points" for which they were grateful. "He certainly knows how to shoot," said Andy to Chet. "I don't see how he missed that moose." "He lost his footing, that's how," was the reply. "The very best of sportsmen miss it sometimes." "Isn't he a splendid fellow, Chet!" "The finest I've met. Oh, I do hope he takes us along with him!" When the lodge was reached the boys built a fire and cooked another appetizing meal, the hunter meanwhile resting his ankle, which was still sore. The reader can rest assured that Andy and Chet did their best over the meal, for they wanted to let Mr. Dawson know of their real abilities in the culinary line. The repast was as much liked as the other had been. "If you go with me, I'll have to throw out the man I was going to take for a cook," declared the hunter and explorer. "I don't believe anybody could serve food better than this." "Oh, we'll do the cooking all right!" declared Chet, enthusiastically. "Of course there will be a ship's cook," explained Mr. Dawson. "But he won't go along over the ice and snow. He'll have to remain with the sailors on the ship." "How many will be in the party to leave the ship?" asked Andy. "I don't know yet--probably five or six, and the Esquimaux." Having reached Barwell Dawson's lodge, the party settled down for a week, to hunt and to take it comfortably. During that time the hunter and explorer asked Chet much about himself and his father. "We must try to find out about that whaler as soon as I go back to town," said Barwell Dawson. "Somebody ought to know something about her." During the week the hunter and the boys became better friends than ever. The man liked the frank manner of the lads, and Andy and Chet were fascinated by the stories the explorer had to tell. "I am going down to Portland next week," announced Barwell Dawson one day. "If you both want to go along and see the city, I'll take you, and foot the bill. Then we can go up to the little town where the _Ice King_ is being fitted out, and you can let me know what you think of the ship." This proposal filled the boys with delight, and they accepted on the spot. Both Andy and Chet made hurried trips to their cabin homes, and came back with the best of their belongings in their grips. Then they helped Barwell Dawson pack up; and two days later started for Pine Run. There was mild surprise in the village when it was learned the two boys were going away, even though it might be only for a short while. To nobody in the village did Barwell Dawson mention his proposed trip to the frozen north. "They wouldn't understand it, and it would only make me out an object of idle curiosity," he explained to the boys.