Again they took up the march for camp, dragging the bear behind them as before. Going was fairly easy, and dragging the bear over the smooth surface was not much work, but whether they were heading just right was a question. Many times Barwell Dawson tried to get his bearings, but without success. "I think I'll have to climb yonder hill and take a look around," said he, when the sun was fairly high. "We ought to be able to locate the camp from there." "We'll go along," said Andy, who did not care to be left alone in such a field of desolation. "Yes, I would like to take a look around myself--just to see how the land--or, rather, ice--lies," added his chum. Leaving the bear where it was, the three started to climb the icy hill on their left. The snow on the side aided them, and they reached the summit with little difficulty. "Phew! here is where one feels the wind!" cried Andy, as he drew his coat closer. "Cuts like a knife, doesn't it?" answered Chet. "Wonder what it will be up at the Pole." "Colder than this--you may be sure of that," answered Barwell Dawson. All gazed around them. To the east and west, as well as the south, lay the long stretches of snow and ice. Northward were the same ice and snow, with numerous leads of clear, bluish water. "There is our camp," said the explorer, pointing to some dark objects in the distance. "How far is it?" asked Chet. "I can't say exactly. Probably two miles. Distances are very deceiving in this atmosphere." "There is that lead of water we must have followed yesterday," said Andy, pointing. "Yes," answered Barwell Dawson. "We won't go back that way, though--we'll try the route over yonder." They were soon down the hill again, and making for the spot where they had left the polar bear. Resuming the load, they struck off as best they could in the direction of the camp. About half the distance had been covered when they found themselves quite unexpectedly on the edge of some "young" ice,--that is, ice recently frozen. It did not seem safe, and Barwell Dawson decided to turn back, in the direction of the route they had followed when leaving camp. This brought them to the lead of the day previous, and they were surprised to note that the water was much wider than before. "The ice must be moving," said Barwell Dawson. "I think the sooner we get back to camp the better." They had a small hill of ice before them, and started to skirt this. Andy was in the lead, and as he passed a rise of ice and snow, he heard a sudden roar that made him jump. "What was that?" he cried, in alarm. "A walrus!" answered Barwell Dawson. "And close at hand, too. Get your guns ready, boys!" CHAPTER XXV CROSSING THE GREAT LEAD In less than a quarter of a minute more they came in sight of the walrus, stretched out on the ice close to the lead. It was a large specimen, weighing a good many hundred pounds, and as awkward as it was heavy.