At the sight of the man and boys the beast raised itself up slightly and started as if to turn back into the water. As it did this, Barwell Dawson raised the rifle, took steady aim, and sent a bullet through its head. "That's a fine shot!" exclaimed Andy as the walrus fell back, uttering a roar of pain. "Shall I give it another?" "Might as well," was the explorer's answer, and the lad quickly complied, the shot scattering into the walrus's head, killing it almost instantly. Scarcely had the echo of the discharge penetrated the air, when there came a number of loud roars from a little further around the icy hill. The hunters advanced, and Chet uttered a yell: "Look! look! Did you ever see so many walruses in your life!" He pointed ahead, but there was no need to do this, for all saw, only a couple of hundred feet away, a veritable herd of walruses numbering at least a hundred if not twice that number. They had heard the death-cry of their mate, and were lumbering forward to see what was the matter. "We can't fight such a crowd as that!" exclaimed Andy, aghast. "We had better clear out." "I wish the Esquimaux were here," returned Barwell Dawson. "We could make a mighty haul of walrus meat, and that is what we need." He looked at the boys. "Who is the better runner of you two?" he asked. "Andy," answered Chet, promptly. "He can outrun me twice over." "Then supposing you leg it for camp just as hard as you can," continued the explorer. "Tell the Esquimaux and Mr. Camdal to come as quickly as possible." Without waiting for more words, Andy was off like a shot, directly past the walruses, who simply raised themselves up to gaze stupidly at him. The others had withdrawn from sight, and when the beasts saw Andy running away they thought themselves alone. Slowly they lumbered over the ice and surrounded their dead companion, uttering hoarse roars that could be heard a long way off. Andy had the direction of the camp well in mind, and made as straight a run for it as the nature of the ice permitted. With such heavy clothing a record run was impossible, yet he covered the distance in good time. He found the Esquimaux outside of their _igloos_, listening to the roaring of the walruses, which could be heard far away over the ice. He soon made them acquainted with what was wanted, and with a glad shout they started off with their spears and bows and arrows. Then he aroused Mr. Camdal, and the latter got his shotgun and an ax. "An ax is sometimes better than a gun," explained Mr. Camdal. "You can sometimes crush a walrus's skull with one well-aimed blow from an ax." The Esquimaux were ahead, but the others soon caught up with them. The walruses were still roaring and bellowing. One of the natives said this was a sign that they were getting ready to move. As they drew closer, the Esquimaux spread out in a semicircle, and held up their spears ready for use. Olalola was in the lead, for he was considered by all to be the best hunter.