foundation by two
deep cuts. The weight of the vessel will help us, and in time she will
settle back into her 'native element,' as the newspapers have it."

There was, indeed, no other process that promised success, and the advice
of Gardiner was followed. In the course of the next two hours deep cuts
were made with the saws, which were pushed so low as to reach quite to the
bottom of the cake. This could be done only by what the sailors called
"jury-handles," or spars secured to the plates. The water offered the
principal obstacle, for that lay on the shelf at least five feet deep.
Perseverance and ingenuity, however, finally achieved their aim. A
cracking was heard, the schooner slowly righted, and settled off into the
sea again, as easily and harmlessly as if scientifically launched. The
fenders protected her sides and copper, though the movement was little
more than slowly sinking on the fragment of the cake, which, by means of
the cuts, had been gradually so much reduced as to be unable to uphold so
great a weight. It was merely reversing the process of breaking the
camel's back, by laying the last feather on his load.

This happy conclusion to several hours of severe toil, occurred just as
the field had drifted abreast of the cove, and was about the centre of the
bay. Hazard came up also at that point, on his return from the volcano,
altering his course a little to speak the strangers. The report of the
mate concerning his discoveries was simple and brief. There was a volcano,
and one in activity; but it had nothing remarkable about it. No seal were
seen, and there was little to reward one for crossing the bay. Sterility,
and a chill grandeur, were the characteristics of all that region; and
these were not wanting to any part of the group. Just as the sun was
setting, Gardiner piloted his companion into the cove; and the two Sea
Lions were moored amicably side by side, and that too at a spot where
thousands of the real animals were to be found within a league.

Chapter XVII.

"The morning air blows fresh on him;
The waves dance gladly in his sight;
The sea-birds call, and wheel, and skim--
O, blessed morning light!"

Dana.

The very day succeeding the arrival of the Sea Lion of the Vineyard, even
while his mate was clearing the vessel, Daggett had a gang on the north
shore, killing and skinning. As Roswell's rules were rigidly observed, no
other change was produced by this accession t