“We hope to be so, by the middle of it,” was the answer.  “I think the seal are getting to be much shyer than they were, and am afraid we shall demonstrate that ‘the more haste is the worse speed.’”

“What is that to you?” returned Daggett quickly.  “Of course you will sail for home as soon as you can get off.”

Gardiner did not like the “of course,” which was indirectly saying what the other would do himself under similar circumstances.  Still, it caused no difference in his own decision, which had been made up under the influence of much reflection, and of a great deal of good feeling.

“I shall do no such thing, Captain Daggett,” was the answer.  “I do not fancy the idea of leaving a fellow-creature, a countryman—­nay, I might say, a neighbour, on this lone spot, with the uncertainty of his ever getting out of it.  If you can come to some understanding with my officers and crew, I will keep the schooner here until we are both full, and ready to sail in company.”

“In which case you would nat’rally ask a lay for yourself?”

“Naturally, perhaps, I might,” returned Roswell, smiling, “though positively, I shall not.  Not one of us in the cabin will look for any other advantage than your good company.  I have talked this matter over with my mates, and they say that the advantage of having a consort in getting through the ice is sufficient to justify us in holding on two or three weeks longer.  With the men, it will be a little different, perhaps; and they will require some pay.  The poor fellows live by their hands, and what their hands do they will expect to be compensated for.”

“They shall have good lays, depend on it.  As for yourself, Captain Gar’ner, I trust my owners will not forget to do what is right, if we ever get home, and meet with luck in the market.”

“Never fear for me, Daggett.  I look for my reward in the bright eyes and pleasant smiles of as excellent a girl as Long Island can produce.  Mary never fails to reward me in that way whenever I do right.  It is right to stand by you just now—­to do as I would be done by:  and I ’ll do it.  Set the thing down as decided, but make your bargain with my men.  And now, Daggett, what say you to climbing yonder mountain to-day, by way of getting a good survey of our territories, as well as to take a look at the state of the ice?”

Daggett assented very cheerfully, his mind being greatly relieved by this assurance of standing by him, on the part of Roswell; for he had been undecided whether to remain after the departure of the other schooner or not.  All was now clear to him, however, and the two masters made their preparations to ascend the mountain as soon as they had breakfasted.  Stimson was summoned to be of the party, his officer having got to be accustomed to, and desirous of, his company.

For the first two hours after quitting the house, Gardiner, Daggett, and the boat-steerer, were busily employed in working their way across the broken surface of the island, to the base of the cone-like pinnacle that formed the apex of all.  There they rested, and took a little refreshment, conversing the while on the state of the ice in the offing, so far as the last could be seen from their present elevation.