he group in the boats, or whether they should
build a little on the hulk, deck her over, and make use of this altered
craft, to return to the northward. There was a good deal to be said on
both sides. If the boats were used, the party might leave as soon as the
weather became settled, and the season a little more advanced, by dragging
the boats on sledges across the ice to the open water, which was supposed
to be some ten or twenty miles to the northward, and a large amount of
provisions might thus be saved. On the other hand, however, as it regarded
the provisions, the boats would hold so little, that no great gain would
be made by going early in them, and leaving a sufficient supply behind to
keep all hands two or three months. This was a consideration that
presented itself, and it had its weight in the decision. Then there was
the chance of the winter's returning, bringing with it the absolute
necessity of using a great deal more fuel. This was a matter of life and
death. Comparatively pleasant as the weather had become, there was no
security for its so continuing. One entire spring month was before the
sealers, and a shift of wind might convert the weather into a wintry
temperature. Should such be the case, it might become indispensable to
burn the very materials that would be required to build up and deck over
the hulk. There were, therefore, many things to be taken into the account;
nor was the question settled without a great deal of debate and
reflection.

After discussing all these points, the decision was as follows. It was at
least a month too soon to think of trusting themselves in that stormy
ocean, on the high seas and in the open boats; and this so much the more
because nature, as if expressly to send back a reasonable amount of warm
air into the polar regions, with a view to preserve the distinction of the
seasons, caused the wind to blow most of the time from the northward. As
this month, in all prudence, must be passed on the island, it might as
well be occupied with building upon the hulk, as in any other occupation.
Should the cold weather return, the materials would still be there, and
might be burned, in the last extremity, just as well, or even with greater
facility, after being brought over to the cove, as if left where they then
were, or at the wreck. Should the winter not return, the work done on the
vessel would be so much gained, and they would be ready for an earlier
start, when the ice shoul