right," said Roswell, "as I know from having done as he advises.
Well, our bargain is made. For twenty days longer I stay here, helping you
to fill up. That will bring us close upon the equinox, when I shall get to
the northward as fast as I can. In that time, too, I think you will be
able to return to duty."

This, then, was the settled arrangement. Roswell felt that he conceded
more than he ought to do; but the feeling of good-fellowship was active
within him, and he was strongly averse to doing anything that might wear
the appearance of abandoning a companion in his difficulties. All this
time our hero was fully aware that he was befriending a competitor; and he
was not without his suspicions that Daggett wished to keep him within his
view until the visit had been paid to the Key. Nevertheless, Roswell's
mind was made up. He would remain the twenty days, and do all he could in
that time to help along the voyage of the Vineyarders.

The sealing was now continued with more order and method than had been
observed under Macy's control. The old caution was respected, and the work
prospered in proportion. Each night, on his return to the house, Gardiner
had a good report to make; and that peculiar snapping of the eye, that
denoted Daggett's interest in his calling, was to be again traced in the
expression of the Vineyarder's features; a certain proof that he was fast
falling into his old train of thought and feeling. Daggett was never
happier than when listening to some account of the manner in which an old
elephant or lion had been taken, or a number of fur-seals had been made to
pay their tribute to the enterprise and address of his people.

As for Roswell, though he complied with his promise, and carried on the
duty with industry and success, his eye was constantly turned on those
signs that denote the advance of the seasons. Now he scanned the ocean to
the northward, and noted the diminished number as well as lessened size of
the floating bergs; proofs that the summer and the waves had been at work
on their sides. Next, his look was on the sun, which was making his daily
course, lower and lower, each time that he appeared, settling rapidly away
towards the north, as if in haste to quit a hemisphere that was so little
congenial to his character. The nights, always cool in that region, began
to menace frost; and the signs of the decline of the year that come so
much later in more temperate climates, began to make themse