the vital current, the fatal symptoms slowly
supervened. This change, however, was so gradual, that it scarce affected
the regular course of the duty.

It was a work of great labour to transport the remaining timbers and plank
of the wreck to the cove. Without the wheels, indeed, it may be questioned
whether it could have been done at all, in a reasonable time. The breaking
up of the schooner was, in itself, no trifling job, for fully one half of
the frame remained to be pulled to pieces. In preparing the materials for
use, again, a good deal of embarrassment was experienced in consequence of
the portions of the two vessels that were left being respectively their
lower bodies, all the upper works of each having been burned, with the
exception of the after part of Daggett's craft, which had been preserved
on account of the cabin. This occasioned a good deal of trouble in
moulding and fitting the new upper works on the hulk in the cove. Roswell
had no idea of rebuilding his schooner strictly in her old form and
proportions; he did not, indeed, possess the materials for such a
reconstruction. His plan was, simply, to raise on the hulk as much as was
necessary to render her safe and convenient, and then to get as good and
secure a deck over all as circumstances would allow.

Fortunately for the progress of the work, Lee, the Vineyard man, was a
ship-carpenter, and his skill essentially surpassed that of Smith, who
filled the same station on board the Oyster Pond craft. These two men were
now of the greatest service; for, though neither understood drafting, each
was skilful in the use of tools, and had a certain readiness that enabled
him to do a hundred things that he had never found it necessary to attempt
on any former occasion. If the upper frame that was now got on the Sea
Lion was not of faultless mould, it was securely fastened, and rendered
the craft even stronger than it had been originally. Some regard was had
to resisting the pressure of ice, and experience had taught all the
sealers where the principal defences against the effects of a "nip" ought
to be placed. The lines were not perfect, it is true; but this was of less
moment, as the bottom of the craft, which alone had any material influence
on her sailing, was just as it had come from the hands of the artizan who
had originally moulded her.

By the end of a fortnight, the new top-timbers were all in their places,
and secured, while a complete set of bends w