these
revolting-looking creatures, though nearly every known species of the
larger seals was among them.

"There is famous picking for us, master Stephen," said Roswell to his
companion, fairly rubbing his hands in delight. "One month's smart work
will fill the schooner, and we can be off before the equinox. Does it not
seem to you that yonder are the bones of sea lions, or of seals of some
sort, lying hereaway as if men had been at work on the creatures?"

"No doubt on't at all, Captain Gar'ner; as much out of the way as this
island is--and I never heard of the place afore, old a sealer as I
am--but, as much out of the way as it is, we are not the first to find it.
Somebody has been here, and that within a year or two; and he has picked
up a cargo, too, depend on't."

As all this merely corresponded with Daggett's account of the place,
Roswell felt no surprise; on the contrary, he saw in it a confirmation of
all that Daggett had stated, and as furnishing so much the more reason to
hope for a successful termination to the voyage in all its parts. While on
the rocks, Roswell took such a survey of the localities as might enable
him to issue his orders hereafter with discretion and intelligence. The
schooner was already making short tacks to get close in with the island,
in obedience to a signal to that effect; and the second mate had pulled
out to the entrance of the little haven, with a view to act as pilot.
Before the captain had descended from the summit of the northern barrier,
the vessel came in under her jib, the wind being nearly aft, and she
dropped two anchors in suitable spots, making another flying moor of it.

General joy now illuminated every face. It was, in itself, a great point
gained to get the schooner into a perfectly safe haven, where her people
could take their natural rest at night, or during their watches below,
without feeling any apprehension of being crushed in the ice; but here was
not only security, but the source of that wealth of which they were in
quest, and which had induced them all to encounter so many privations and
so much danger. The crew landed to a man, each individual ascending to the
summit of the barrier, to feast his eyes on the spectacle that lay spread
in such affluent abundance, along the low rocks of the northern side of
the island.

As there were yet several hours of light remaining, Roswell, still
attended by Stimson, each armed with a sealing spear or lance, not only