well as to ascertain how those fared who chose that
abode, he paid Daggett a visit, and passed a night or two himself in the
cabin of the craft. This experiment told him that it was very possible to
exist there when the thermometer stood at zero; but, how it would do when
ranging a great deal lower, he had his doubts. The cabin was small, and a
very moderate fire in the camboose served to keep it reasonably warm;
though Daggett, at all times a reasonable and reasoning man, when the
"root of all evil" did not sorely beset him, came fully into his own views
as to the necessity of husbanding the fuel, and of hardening the men. None
of that close stewing over stoves, which is so common in America, and
which causes one-half of the winter diseases of the climate, was tolerated
in either gang. Daggett saw the prudence of Roswell's, or rather of
Stimson's system, and fell into it freely, and with hearty good-will. It
was during Gardiner's visit to the wreck that our two masters talked over
their plans for the winter, while taking their exercise on the schooner's
deck, each well muffled up, to prevent the frost from taking hold of the
more exposed parts. Every one had a seal-skin cap, made in a way to
protect the ears and most of the face; and our two masters were thus
provided, in common with their men.

"I suppose that we are to consider this as pleasant winter weather,"
Roswell remarked, "the thermometer being down only at zero. Stimson tells
me that even at Orange Harbour, the season he was there, they paid out
mercury until it all got into the ball. A month or two hence, we may look
out for the season of frosts, as the Injins call it. You will hardly think
of staying out here, when the really hard weather sets in."

"I do not believe we shall feel the cold much more than we do now. This
daily washing is a capital stove; for I find all hands say that, when it
is once over, they feel like new men. As for me, I shall stick by my craft
while there is a timber left in her to float!"

Roswell thought how absurd it was to cling thus to a useless mass of
wood, and iron, and copper; but he said nothing on that subject.

"I am now sorry that we took over to the house so many of our supplies,"
Daggett continued, after a short pause. "I am afraid that many of them
will have to be brought back again."

"That would hardly quit cost, Daggett; it would be better to come over and
pass the heel of the winter with us, when the supplies ge