rogue whose soul was in the treasure, and who was certain to oppose any
plan I might propose for the construction of a boat or raft out of the
material that formed the schooner. The sole ray of hope that gleamed
upon me broke out of the belief that this island was going north, and
that when we had come to the height of the summer in these seas, the
wasting of the coast or the dislocation of the northern mass would
release us.

Yet this was but poor comfort too; it threatened a terrible long spell
of waiting, with perhaps disappointment in the end, and months of
enforced association with a wretch with whom I should have to live in
fear of my life.

When I was getting supper Tassard awoke, quitted his mattress, and came
to his bench.

"Has anything happened whilst I slept?" said he.

"Nothing," I answered.

"The ice shows no signs of giving?"

"I see none," said I.

"Well," cried he, with a sarcastic sneer, "have you any more fine
schemes?"

"'Tis your turn now," I replied. "Try _your_ hand. If you fail, I
promise you I shall not be disappointed."

"But you English sailors," said he, wagging his head and regarding me
with a great deal of wildness in his eye, "speak of yourselves as the
finest seamen in the world. Justify the maritime reputation of your
nation by showing me how we are to escape with the schooner from the
ice."

"Mr. Tassard," said I, approaching him and looking him full in the face,
"I would advise you to sweeten your temper and change your tone. I have
borne myself very moderately towards you, submitted to your insults with
patience, and have done you some kindness. I am not afraid of you. On
the contrary, I look upon you as a swaggering bully and a hoary villain.
Do you understand me? I am a desperate man in a desperate situation. But
if I don't fear death, depend upon it, I don't fear _you_--and I take
God to witness that if you do not use me with the civility I have a
right to expect, I will kill you."

My temper had given way; I meant every word I spoke, and my air and
sincerity rendered my speech very formidable. I approached him by
another stride; he started up, as I thought, to seize me, but in reality
to recoil, and this he did so effectually as to tumble over his bench,
and down he fell, striking his bald head so hard that he lay for several
minutes motionless.

I stood over him till he chose to sit erect, which he presently did,
rubbing his poll and looking at me with an air of