When Roswell reached his unfortunate companion, the latter was perfectly sensible, and quite cool.

“God be thanked that you have found me, Gar’ner,” he said; “at one time I had given it up.”

“Thank God, also, that you are living, my friend,” answered the other.  “I expected only to find your body; but you do not seem to be much hurt.”

“More than appears, Gar’ner; more than appears.  My left leg is broken, certainly; and one of my shoulders pains me a good deal, though it is neither out of joint or broken.  This is a sad business for a sealing v’y’ge!”

“Give yourself no concern about your craft, Daggett—­I will look to her, and to your voyage.”

“Will you stand by the schooner, Gar’ner?—­Promise me that, and my mind will be at peace.”

“I do promise.  The two vessels shall stick together, at all events, until we are clear of the ice.”

“Ay, but that won’t do. My Sea Lion must be filled up as well as your own.  Promise me that”

“It shall be done, God willing.  But here comes Stimson; the first thing will be to get you out of this spot.”

Daggett was obviously relieved by Roswell’s pledges; for, amid the anguish and apprehensions of his unexpected state, his thoughts had most keenly adverted to his vessel and her fortunes.  Now that his mind was somewhat relieved on this score, the pains of his body became more sensibly felt.  The situation of our party was sufficiently embarrassing.  The leg of Daggett was certainly broken, a little distance above his ancle; and various bruises in other places, gave notice of the existence of other injuries.  To do anything with the poor man, lying where he was, was out of the question, however; and the first thing was to remove the sufferer to a more eligible position.  Fortunately it was no great distance to the foot of the mountain, and a low level piece of rock was accessible by means of care and steady feet.  Daggett was raised, between Roswell and Stimson in a sitting attitude, and supporting himself by putting an arm around the neck of each.  The legs hung down, the broken as well as the sound limb.  To this accidental circumstance the sufferer was indebted to a piece of incidental surgery that proved of infinite service to him.  While dangling in this manner the bone got into its place, and Daggett instantly became aware of that important fact, which was immediately communicated to Roswell.  Of course the future mode of proceeding was regulated by this agreeable piece of information.

Sailors are often required to act as physicians, surgeons and priests.  It is not often that they excel in either capacity; but, in consequence of the many things they are called to turn their hands to, it does generally happen that they get to possess a certain amount of address that renders them far more dexterous, in nearly everything they undertake, than the generality of those who are equally strangers to the particular