“Yes, but that would have been a minute too long, if they had happened to get a sniff of camp, and only for the north breeze they would have anyway, and been off before Dan saw them.” “Did they put up any fight?” “Didn’t have a chance. We got them quick. Close shot and no trick at all. Nothing like your shot.” “I’m sorry I wasn’t up earlier. What were they doing on land? I thought they kept to the ice.” “No, we’re liable to see them anywhere on these shores. Guess they were going down to catch a salmon breakfast in our pool at the foot of the rapid.” They saw no more bears while encamped on Richmond Gulf, though they caught plenty of salmon and trout, and now and again took excursions back into the hills and along the streams where ptarmigans were found, or took advantage of excellent duck and goose shooting on near-by lakes. Mallards and black ducks were plentiful, great flocks of wavies flew overhead and the Canada gray goose was fairly numerous. The sport was so good, in fact, that the week which they had originally planned to remain ashore lengthened into two, and it was a fortnight after their arrival when reluctantly they broke camp one morning and returned to the _North Star_, carrying with them enough salmon and trout to supply both cabin and forecastle for several days. “Glad to see you! Glad to see you!” greeted Captain Bluntt as they drew alongside the ship. “Good sport? Have a good time?” “Bully!” answered Remington. “Never better. Salmon and trout hungry for flies, and we got two bears in the bargain.” “Good! Good, sir! And how did you find it, youngster?” “Fine and dandy,” answered Paul. “Best time I ever had in my life.” “Good! Good! Glad you’re aboard, Mr. Remington--glad you’re aboard. Barometer falling rapidly--outlook for bad weather--northeast blow, I’m thinkin’. Bad anchorage here. We’ll make for open sea. Get right away. Growing a bit nervous about it, sir--just a bit nervous.” “All right, Captain,” said Remington. “We’re ready to go.” Anchor was weighed, and slowly the _North Star_ felt her way out of the uncertain waters toward the wide bosom of Hudson Bay. “Now,” asked Captain Bluntt, when they had gained “elbow room,” as he expressed it, “what’s your pleasure, sir?” “Well,” said Remington, “we want to have a little walrus hunting, we’d like to pick up another bear or two, and I’m mighty anxious to get a crack at caribou before we leave the country. Kuglutuk says, though, that all the caribou on this side are far inland on the highlands, and out of reach. I’ve been thinking that we might cross to the other side somewhat south of Chesterfield Inlet, and perhaps find caribou there, then cruise back along the islands looking for bear, and stop up toward Mosquito Bay a few days for our walrus hunt before we strike for home. Kuglutuk says the Eskimos up there will help us.”