different parts of the two vessels, until a reasonably convenient, and a perfectly safe deck was laid over the whole craft, the coamings for the hatches being taken from Daggett’s schooner, which had not been broken up in those parts.  It is scarcely necessary to say that the ice had early melted from the rocks of the coast.  The caverns all disappeared within the first week of the thaw, the attitudes into which the cakes had been thrown greatly favouring the melting process, by exposing so much surface to the joint action of wind, rain, and sun.  What was viewed as a favourable augury, the seals began to reappear.  There was a remote portion of the coast, from which the ice had been driven by the winds around the north-west cape, that was already alive with them.  Alas! these animals no longer awakened cupidity in the breasts of the sealers.  The last no longer thought of gain, but simply of saving their lives, and of restoring themselves to the humble places they had held in the world, previously to having come on this ill-fated voyage.

This re-appearance of the seals produced a deep impression on Roswell Gardiner.  His mind had been much inclined of late to dwell more and more on religious subjects, and his conversations with Stephen were still more frequent than formerly.  Not that the boat-steerer could enlighten him on the great subject, by any learned lore, for in this Stimson was quite deficient; but his officer found encouragement in the depth and heartiness of his companion’s faith, which seemed to be raised above all doubts and misgivings whatever.  During the gloomiest moments of that fearful winter, Stephen had been uniformly confiding and cheerful.  Not once had he been seen to waver, though all around him were desponding and anticipating the worst.  His heart was light exactly in proportion as his faith was strong.

“We shall neither freeze nor starve,” he used to say, “unless it be God’s will; and, when it is his pleasure, depend on it, friends, it will be for our good.”  As for Daggett, he had finally given up his hold on the wreck, and it seemed no longer to fill his thoughts.  When he was told that the seals had come back, his eye brightened, and his nature betrayed some of its ardent longings.  But it was no more than a gleaming of the former spirit of the man, now becoming dim under the darkness that was fast encircling all his views of this world.

“It’s a pity, Gar’ner, that we have no craft ready for the work,” he said, under the first impulse of the intelligence.

“At this early time in the season, a large ship might be filled!”

“We have other matters on our hands, Captain Daggett,” was the answer; “they must be looked to first.  If we can get off the island at all and return safe to those who, I much fear, are now mourning us as dead, we shall have great reason to thank God.”

“A few skins would do no great harm, Gar’ner, even to a craft cut down and reduced.”