his were done,
both vessels would be compelled to ware, and run for the southern
passage, which would carry them many miles to leeward, and might place
them a long distance on the wrong side of the group.

"Is Captain Gar'ner on deck?" asked Daggett, who had now drawn close up on
the lee-quarter of his consort, Hazard having brailed his foresail and
laid his topsail sharp aback, to enable him to do so--"If he isn't, I'd
advise you to give him a call at once."

This was done immediately; and while it was doing, the Vineyard Lion swept
past the Oyster Pond schooner. Roswell announced his presence on deck just
as the other vessel cleared his bows.

"There's no time to consult, Gar'ner," answered Daggett. "There's our road
before us. Go through it we must, or stay where we are until that
field-ice gives us a jam down yonder in the crescent. I will lead, and you
can follow as soon as your eyes are open."

One glance let Roswell into the secret of his situation. He liked it
little, but he did not hesitate.

"Fill the topsail, and haul aft the foresheet," were the quiet orders that
proclaimed what he intended to do.

Both vessels stood on. By some secret process, every man on board the two
craft became aware of what was going on, and appeared on deck. All hands
were not called, nor was there any particular noise to attract attention;
but the word had been whispered below that there was a great risk to run.
A risk it was, of a verity! It was necessary to stand close along that
iron-bound coast where the seals had so lately resorted, for a distance of
several miles. The wind would not admit of the schooners steering much
more than a cable's length from the rocks for quite a league; after which
the shore trended to the southward, and a little sea-room would be gained.
But on those rocks the waves were then beating heavily, and their
bellowings as they rolled into the cavities were at almost all times
terrific. There was some relief, however, in the knowledge obtained of the
shore, by having frequently passed up and down it in the boats. It was
known that the water was deep close to the visible rocks, and that there
was no danger as long as a vessel could keep off them.

No one spoke. Every eye was strained to discern objects ahead, or was
looking astern to trace the expected collision between the floe-ice and
the low promontory of the cape. The ear soon gave notice that this meeting
had already taken place; for the frightf