elf that he was about to slip past all the rocks, and get
out into open water, when the vast fields of which the blink had been seen
even by those in the other vessel, suddenly stretched themselves across
his course in a way that set at defiance all attempts to go any further in
that direction. Daggett wore round, and endeavoured to return. This was by
no means as easy as it was to go down before the wind, and his bows were
also much encumbered with ice; more so, indeed, than those of the other
schooner. Once or twice his craft missed stays in consequence of getting
so much by the head, and it was deemed necessary to heave-to, and take to
the axes. A great deal of extra and cumbrous weight was gotten rid of, but
an hour of most precious time was lost.

By the time Daggett was ready to make sail again, he found his return
round the headland was entirely cut off, by the field's having come in
absolute contact with the rocks!

It was now midnight, and the men on board both vessels required rest. A
watch was set in each, and most of the people were permitted to turn in.
Of course, proper look-outs were had, but the light of the moon was not
sufficiently distinct to render it safe to make any final efforts under
its favour. No great alarm was felt, there being nothing unusual in a
vessel's being embayed in the ice; and so long as she was not nipped or
pressed upon by actual contact the position was thought safe rather than
the reverse. It was desirable, moreover, for the schooners to communicate
with each other; for some advantage might be known to one of the masters
that was concealed by distance from his companion. Without concert,
therefore, Roswell and Daggett came to the same general conclusions, and
waited patiently.

The day came at last, cold and dreary, though not altogether without the
relief of an air that blew from regions far warmer than the ocean over
which it was now travelling. Then the two schooners became visible from
each other, and Roswell saw the jeopardy of Daggett, and Daggett saw the
jeopardy of Roswell. The vessels were little more than a mile apart, but
the situation of the Vineyard Lion was much the most critical. She had
made fast to the floe, but her support itself was in a steady and most
imposing motion. As soon as Roswell saw the manner in which his consort
was surrounded, and the very threatening aspect of the danger that pressed
upon him, his first impulse was to hasten to him, with a party