them, and that, so far from the extra work's causing
them to fall behind in their main operations, the comfort they found, in
having a home like this to go to, after a long day's toil, refreshed them
to a degree which enabled every man to return to his labour, with a zeal
and an energy that might otherwise have been wanting. Although it was in
the warmest season of the year, and the nights could scarcely be called
nights at all, yet the sun never got very low without leaving a chilliness
in the air that would have rendered sleeping without a cover and a
protection from the winds, not only excessively uncomfortable, but
somewhat dangerous. Indeed, it was often found necessary to light a fire
in the old ware-house. This was done by means of a capacious box-stove,
that was almost as old as the building itself, and which had also been
brought along as an article of great necessity in that climate. Fuel could
not be wanting, as long as the 'scraps' from the try-works abounded, and
there were many more of these than were needed to 'try out' the
sea-elephant oil. The schooner, however, had a very ample supply of wood
to burn, that being an article which abounded on Shelter Island, and which
the deacon had consented to lay in, in some abundance. Gardiner got this
concession out of the miserly temperament of the old man, by persuading
him that a sealer could not work to any advantage, unless he had the means
of occasionally warming himself. The miserly propensities of the deacon
were not so engrossing that he did not comprehend the wisdom of making
sufficient outlay to secure the execution of his main object; and among
other things of this nature, the schooner had sailed with a very large
supply of wood, as has just been stated. Wood and onions, indeed, were
more abundant in her than any other stores.

The arrangements described were completed by the end of the first
fortnight, during which period the business of sealing was also carried on
with great industry and success. So very tame were the victims, and so
totally unconscious of the danger they incurred from the presence of man,
that the crew moved round among them, seemingly but very little observed,
and not at all molested. The utmost care was taken to give no unnecessary
alarm; and when an animal was lanced, it was done in such a quiet way as
to produce as little commotion as possible. By the end of the time named,
however, the sealing had got so advanced as to require the