And now, the excitement of the chase being over, the question arose where was the _Hvalross_, and where was the other boat? These questions were answered by the two vessels, which formed with them a triangle, whose sides were about a mile in length; while, to add to the satisfaction of the adventure, the other boat was showing a signal, and they could see that it was towing something astern. Meanwhile Johannes and his fellow-harpooners were busily securing a rope to their prize and drawing in and laying up their line. Next the harpoon was carefully cut out from where it was deeply imbedded in the animal's back; and then the boat's head was turned for the ship, which was steaming slowly towards them as they rowed on towing their carefully secured prize astern. "I'm glad they've had good luck, too," said Steve; "but, I say, what has become of the shoal?" "Gone right away, sir," replied Johannes. "We startled them, and they smelt danger. We may catch up to them by-and-by." "Not to-day," said Captain Marsham quietly. "Pull, my lads;" and he steered so that they might get nearer to their companions' boat and the _Hvalross_ be reached by them both at once. "You are right, sir," said Johannes in his quiet, independent, but respectful manner; "we shall not see the whales again to-day, and we must make haste if we are to reach the ship before it comes." "Before what comes?" said Steve, wondering at the man's manner. "Look," he said, pointing to the north-west. "What at?" replied Steve; "the long line of ice?" "No," said Captain Marsham. "Look right beyond the ire. Another of those pests--troubles of arctic voyaging, my boy," he continued, correcting himself. "What, that silvery-looking cloud over the ice? Does that mean wind?" "I wish it did, Steve, so as to save our coal. No, boy; it means another of those dense mists. I hope only a passing one; but you have had a taste of what an arctic fog can be like. We must make haste; these mists creep on so swiftly. Make a signal, Johannes. The _Hvalross_ must come on and pick us up, or we shall have to cast off our fish." The next minute a little flag was hoisted in the bows to the end of one of the lance-poles, with the result that there was soon after a cloud of black smoke rolling out of the steamer's funnel and an increase in the white water at her stern; but the boat went no faster, for the white whale was heavy, although the men pulled with a will. "They ought to see the fog coming on in the other boat," said the captain impatiently. "Of course if we are shut in we shall be able to reach the _Hvalross_. We could do that by listening for their signals, which they would be sure to make; but I hate unnecessary anxiety, Steve, and it is very awkward to be caught by one of these dense mists-- everything is so puzzling."