beneath the house. It was in the early morning. Notwithstanding there was
a strong disposition to work night and day on the part of the new-comers,
Roswell's rule of keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest had prevailed, and
the business of washing, scrubbing and shaving, had just commenced. As for
the two masters, they required fewer ablutions than their men, had risen
earlier, and were already dressed for the day.

"To-morrow will be the first day of February," said Daggett, when the
salutations of the morning were passed, "and I was calculating my chances
of getting full this season. You will be full this week, I conclude,
Gar'ner?"

"We hope to be so, by the middle of it," was the answer. "I think the seal
are getting to be much shyer than they were, and am afraid we shall
demonstrate that 'the more haste is the worse speed.'"

"What is that to you?" returned Daggett quickly. "Of course you will sail
for home as soon as you can get off."

Gardiner did not like the "of course," which was indirectly saying what
the other would do himself under similar circumstances. Still, it caused
no difference in his own decision, which had been made up under the
influence of much reflection, and of a great deal of good feeling.

"I shall do no such thing, Captain Daggett," was the answer. "I do not
fancy the idea of leaving a fellow-creature, a countryman--nay, I might
say, a neighbour, on this lone spot, with the uncertainty of his ever
getting out of it. If you can come to some understanding with my officers
and crew, I will keep the schooner here until we are both full, and ready
to sail in company."