t to be short
here. As we eat, we make room in the hut, you know; and you will be so
much the more comfortable. An empty pork-barrel was broken up for the
camboose yesterday morning."

"We shall see--we shall see, Gardner. My men have got a notion that your
people intend to break up this schooner for fuel, should they not keep an
anchor-watch aboard her."

"Anchor-watch!" repeated Roswell, smiling. "It is well named--if there
ever was an anchor-watch, you keep it here: for no ground-tackle will ever
hold like this."

"We still think the schooner may be got off," Daggett said, regarding his
companion inquiringly.

While the Vineyard-man had a certain distrust of his brother-master, he
had also a high respect for his fair-dealing propensities, and a strong
disposition to put confidence in his good faith. The look that he now gave
was, if possible, to read the real opinion of the other, in a countenance
that seldom deceived.

"I shall be grateful to God, Captain Daggett," returned Roswell, after a
short pause, "if we get through the long winter of this latitude, without
burning too much of _both_ craft, than will be for our good. Surely it
were better to begin on that which is in the least serviceable condition?"

"I have thought this matter over, Gar'ner, with all my mind--have dreamt
of it--slept on it--had it before me at all hours, and in all weathers;
and, look at it as I will, it is full of difficulties. Will you agree to
take in a half-cargo of my skins and iles next season, and make in all
respect? a joint v'y'ge of it; from home, home ag'in, if we'll consent to
let this craft be burned?"

"It exceeds my power to make any such bargain. I have an owner who looks
sharply after his property, and my crew are upon lays, like the people of
all sealers. You ask too much; and you forget that, should I assume the
same power over my own craft, as you still claim in this wreck, you might
never find the means of getting away from the group at all. We are not
obliged to receive you on board our schooner."

"I know you think, Gar'ner, that it will be impossible for us ever to get
our craft off; but you overlook one thing that we may do--what is there to
prevent our breaking her up, and of using the materials to make a smaller
vessel; one of sixty tons say--in which we might get home, besides taking
most of our skins?"

"I will not say _that_ will be impossible; but I do say it will be very
difficult. It would be wiser