"Ay, ay; you will have your hands full enough to-day, Macy; but how will
it be to-morrow?"

"Why, just as it has been to-day. The devils must come up to blow, and
we're sartain of 'em, somewhere along the shore. This day's work is worth
any two that I've seen; since I came upon the island."

"Very true; but what will to-morrow's work be worth? I will tell Captain
Daggett what you wish me to say, however, and we will hear his opinion on
the subject. In my judgment, he means to command his craft till she gets
back to the Hole, legs or no legs."

Hazard went his way, shaking his head ominously as he proceeded. Nor was
he much mistaken in what he expected from Daggett's anger. That
experienced sealer sent for his mate, and soon gave him to understand that
he was yet his commander. Loose and neighbourly as is usually the
discipline of one of these partnership vessels, there is commonly a man on
board who is every way competent to assert the authority given him by the
laws, as well as by his contract. Macy was sent for, rebuked, and menaced
with degradation from his station, should he again presume to violate his
orders. As commonly happens in cases of this nature, regrets were
expressed by the offender, and future obedience promised.

But the mischief was done. Sealing was no longer the regular, systematic
pursuit it had been on that island, but had become precarious and
changeful. At times, the men met with good success; then, days would occur
in which not a single creature, of any of the different species, would be
taken. The Vineyard schooner was not more than half-full, and the season
was fast drawing to a close. Roswell was quite ready to sail, and he began
to chafe a little under the extra hazards that were thus imposed on