Chapter 17 - Page 2

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."

"In which case you would nat'rally ask a lay for yourself?"

"Naturally, perhaps, I might," returned Roswell, smiling, "though
positively, I shall not. Not one of us in the cabin will look for any
other advantage than your good company. I have talked this matter over
with my mates, and they say that the advantage of having a consort in
getting through the ice is sufficient to justify us in holding on two or
three weeks longer. With the men, it will be a little different, perhaps;
and they will require some pay. The poor fellows live by their hands, and
what their hands do they will expect to be compensated for."

"They shall have good lays, depend on it. As for yourself, Captain
Gar'ner, I trust my owners will not forget to do what is right, if we ever
get home, and meet with luck in the market."

"Never fear for me, Daggett. I look for my reward in the bright eyes and
pleasant smiles of as excellent a girl as Long Island can produce. Mary
never fails to reward me in that way whenever I do right. It _is_ right to
stand by you just now--to do as I would be done by: and I 'll do it. Set
the thing down as decided, but make your bargain with my men. And now,
Daggett, what say you to climbing yonder mountain to-day, by way of
getting a good survey of our territories, as well as to take a look at the
state of the ice?"

Daggett assented very cheerfully, his mind being greatly relieved by this
assurance of standing by him, on the part of Roswell; for he had been
undecided whether to remain after the departure of the other schooner or
not. All was now clear to him, however, and the two masters made their
preparations to ascend the mountain as soon as they had breakfasted.
Stimson was summoned to be of the party, his officer having got to be
accustomed to, and