“I suppose that we are to consider this as pleasant winter weather,” Roswell remarked, “the thermometer being down only at zero.  Stimson tells me that even at Orange Harbour, the season he was there, they paid out mercury until it all got into the ball.  A month or two hence, we may look out for the season of frosts, as the Injins call it.  You will hardly think of staying out here, when the really hard weather sets in.”

“I do not believe we shall feel the cold much more than we do now.  This daily washing is a capital stove; for I find all hands say that, when it is once over, they feel like new men.  As for me, I shall stick by my craft while there is a timber left in her to float!”

Roswell thought how absurd it was to cling thus to a useless mass of wood, and iron, and copper; but he said nothing on that subject.

“I am now sorry that we took over to the house so many of our supplies,” Daggett continued, after a short pause.  “I am afraid that many of them will have to be brought back again.”

“That would hardly quit cost, Daggett; it would be better to come over and pass the heel of the winter with us, when the supplies get to be short here.  As we eat, we make room in the hut, you know; and you will be so much the more comfortable.  An empty pork-barrel was broken up for the camboose yesterday morning.”

“We shall see—­we shall see, Gardner.  My men have got a notion that your people intend to break up this schooner for fuel, should they not keep an anchor-watch aboard her.”

“Anchor-watch!” repeated Roswell, smiling.  “It is well named—­if there ever was an anchor-watch, you keep it here:  for no ground-tackle will ever hold like this.”

“We still think the schooner may be got off,” Daggett said, regarding his companion inquiringly.

While the Vineyard-man had a certain distrust of his brother-master, he had also a high respect for his fair-dealing propensities, and a strong disposition to put confidence in his good faith.  The look that he now gave was, if possible, to read the real opinion of the other, in a countenance that seldom deceived.

“I shall be grateful to God, Captain Daggett,” returned Roswell, after a short pause, “if we get through the long winter of this latitude, without burning too much of both craft, than will be for our good.  Surely it were better to begin on that which is in the least serviceable condition?”

“I have thought this matter over, Gar’ner, with all my mind—­have dreamt of it—­slept on it—­had it before me at all hours, and in all weathers; and, look at it as I will, it is full of difficulties.  Will you agree to take in a half-cargo of my skins and iles next season, and make in all respect? a joint v’y’ge of it; from home, home ag’in, if we’ll consent to let this craft be burned?”

“It exceeds my power to make any such bargain.  I have an owner who looks sharply after his property, and my crew are upon lays, like the people of all sealers.  You ask too much; and you forget that, should I assume the same power over my own craft, as you still claim in this wreck, you might never find the means of getting away from the group at all.  We are not obliged to receive you on board our schooner.”