“It’s a ticklish business to trust to such a protector; still, a great deal must be gained by cutting away so much of this upper ice, and it is possible your schooner may be lifted, as you seem to expect.  Has anything been done to strengthen the craft in-board?”

“Not as yet; though I’ve thought of that, too.  But what is the stoutest ship that ever floated, against the pressure of such an enormous field of ice?  Had we not better keep cutting away?”

“You can continue to work the saw and the axes, but I will give an eye to strengthening the craft in-board.  Just point out the spars and plank you can spare, and we’ll see what can be done.  At any rate, my lads, you can now work with the certainty that your lives are safe.  My schooner lies about six leagues from you, as safely moored as if she lay in a dock.  Come, Captain Daggett, let me see your spare spars and plank.”

Great encouragement it certainly was to these mariners, so far from home, and in their imminently perilous condition, to know that a countryman and a friend was so near them, to afford shelter and protection.  The American sailor is not a cheering animal, like his English relative, but he quite as clearly understands what ought to be received with congratulation, as those who are apt to make more noise.  The Vineyard men, in particular, were habitually quiet and thoughtful, there being but one seaman in the craft who did not husband his lay, and look forward to meet the wants of a future day.  This is the result of education, men usually becoming quiet as they gain ideas, and feel that the tongue has been given to us in order to communicate them to our fellows.  Still, the joy at receiving this unlooked-for assistance was great among the Vineyard men, and each party went to work with activity and zeal.

The task of Roswell Gardiner was in-board, while that of Daggett and his men continued to be on the ice.  The latter resumed the labour of cutting and sawing the field, and of getting up fenders, or skids, to protect the inner side of their vessel from the effects of a ‘nip.’  As for Gardiner, he set about his self-assumed duty with great readiness and intelligence.  His business was to strengthen the craft, by getting supports up in her hold.  This was done without much difficulty, all the upper part of the hold being clear and easily come at.  Spars were cut to the proper length, plank were placed in the broadest part of the vessel, opposite to each other, and the spars were wedged in carefully, extending from side to side, so as to form a great additional support to the regular construction of the schooner.  In little more than an hour, Roswell had his task accomplished, while Daggett did not see that he could achieve much more himself.  They met on the ice to consult, and to survey the condition of things around them.