Such was the state of things, when, on going to his camboose, in order to cook the breakfast, this very black found the fire totally extinguished!  Not a spark could he discover, even among the ashes; and, what was even worse, the tinder-box had disappeared.  As respects the last, it may be well to state here, that it was afterwards discovered carefully bestowed between two of the timbers of the wreck, with a view to a particular safe-keeping; the person who had made this disposition of it, forgetting what he had done.  The loss of the tinder-box, under the circumstances, was almost as great a calamity as could have befallen men, in the situation of the Vineyarders.  As against the cold, by means of bed-clothes, exercise, and other precautions, it might have been possible to exist for some time, provided warm food could be obtained; but the frost penetrated the cabin, and every one soon became sensitively alive to the awkwardness, not to say danger, of their condition.  A whole day was passed in fruitless attempts to obtain fire, by various processes.  Friction did not succeed; it probably never does with the thermometer at zero.  Sparks could be obtained, but by this time everything was stiff with the frost.  The food already cooked was soon as hard as bullets, and it was found that, on the second night, brandy that was exposed was converted into a lump of ice.  Not only did the intensity of the cold increase, but everything, even to the human system, seemed to be gradually congealing, and preparing to become converted into receptacles for frost.  Several of the men began to suffer in their ears, noses, feet and other extremities, and the bunks were soon the only places in which it was found possible to exist in anything like comfort.  No less than three men had been sent, at intervals of a few hours, across to the house, with a view to obtain fire, or the means of lighting one, along with other articles that were considered necessary to the safety of the people.  The cook had been the third and last of these messengers.  He had passed his two shipmates, each lying dead on the snow,—­or, as he supposed, lifeless; for neither gave the smallest sign of vitality, on an examination.  It was in the agony of alarm produced by these appalling spectacles, that the negro had cried aloud for help, sending the sounds far enough to reach the ears of Roswell.  Still he had persevered; until chilled, as much with terror, as with the cold and the want of warm nourishment, the cook had sunk into what would have soon proved to be his last long sleep, when the timely succour arrived.

It was some two hours after the black had been got into the hut, and was strengthened with a good hot supper, ere he had communicated all the facts just related.  Roswell succeeded, however, in getting a little at a time from him; and when no more remained to be related, the plan was already arranged for future proceedings.  It was quite clear no unnecessary delay should be permitted to take place.  The cold continued to increase in intensity, notwithstanding it was the opinion of the most experienced among the men that a thaw, and a great spring thaw, was approaching.  It often happens, in climates of an exaggerated character, that these extremes almost touch each other, as they are said to meet in man.