In this spirit did Daggett and his crew now feel and act.  Roswell had early seen, with regret, that something like a feeling of party was getting up among the Vineyarders, who had all along regarded the better fortune of their neighbours with an ill-concealed jealousy.  Ever since the shipwreck, however, this rivalry had taken a new and even less pleasant aspect.  It was slightly hostile, and remarks had been occasionally made that sounded equivocally; as if the Vineyarders had an intention of separating from the other crew, and of living by themselves.  It is probable, however, that all this was the fruit of disappointment; and that, at the bottom, nothing very serious was in contemplation.  Daggett had permitted his people to aid in transporting most of the stores to the house; though a considerable supply had been left in the wreck.  This last arrangement was made seemingly without any hostile design, but rather in furtherance of a plan to pass as much time as circumstances would allow, on board the stranded vessel.  There was, in truth, a certain convenience in this scheme, that commended it to the good sense of all.  So long as any portion of the Vineyarders could be made comfortable in the wreck, it was best they should remain there; for it saved the labour of transporting all the provisions, and made more room to circulate in and about the house.  The necessity of putting so many casks, barrels and boxes within doors, had materially circumscribed the limits; and space was a great desideratum for several reasons, health in particular.

Roswell was glad, therefore, when any of the Vineyarders expressed a wish to go to the wreck, and to pass a few days there.  With a view to encourage this disposition, as well as to ascertain how those fared who chose that abode, he paid Daggett a visit, and passed a night or two himself in the cabin of the craft.  This experiment told him that it was very possible to exist there when the thermometer stood at zero; but, how it would do when ranging a great deal lower, he had his doubts.  The cabin was small, and a very moderate fire in the camboose served to keep it reasonably warm; though Daggett, at all times a reasonable and reasoning man, when the “root of all evil” did not sorely beset him, came fully into his own views as to the necessity of husbanding the fuel, and of hardening the men.  None of that close stewing over stoves, which is so common in America, and which causes one-half of the winter diseases of the climate, was tolerated in either gang.  Daggett saw the prudence of Roswell’s, or rather of Stimson’s system, and fell into it freely, and with hearty good-will.  It was during Gardiner’s visit to the wreck that our two masters talked over their plans for the winter, while taking their exercise on the schooner’s deck, each well muffled up, to prevent the frost from taking hold of the more exposed parts.  Every one had a seal-skin cap, made in a way to protect the ears and most of the face; and our two masters were thus provided, in common with their men.