"What can we do?" asked Charley. "Can we go around?"
"We'd not make un to-day," said Toby. "I'm thinkin' by hurryin' the dogs a bit we can make un. The ice'll not go abroad unless the wind blows a good bit stronger than 'tis blowin' now."
"Hadn't we better go back and wait until we're sure?" asked Charley anxiously.
"If we goes back and waits we'll not be gettin' home to-morrow," Toby objected. "We promises Mother we'd be home by to-morrow night whatever."
"Let's take a chance at it," said Charley. "This wind can't move the ice, and we can get across before it gets blowing much harder."
"Ooisht!"[9] called Toby, breaking the komatik loose, and away went the dogs.
"Oksuit! Oksuit!"[10] Toby kept calling to the dogs, snapping the whip over them and urging them ahead.
"What's that?" It was an hour later, and Charley pointed to a great moving object a half mile seaward.
"A white bear!" exclaimed Toby, after a moment's scrutiny.
"Can't we get it?" Charley excitedly clutched his new rifle.