Trentanove? Sure
enough it was, and putting my head a little farther over the rail, I saw
the figure of the Portuguese Barros lying close under the bends. No
doubt it was the movement of the ice that had shot the Italian into the
lifelike posture, it being incredible he should have fallen so on being
tumbled overboard by the Frenchman. But there he was, resting against a
lump of ice, looking as living in his frozen posture as ever he had
showed in the cabin.

The shock did my head good; I went below and got into my cot, and after
tossing for half an hour or so fell asleep. I awoke and went to the
cook-house, where I found Tassard preparing the breakfast, and a great
fire burning. I hardly knew what reception he would give me, and was
therefore not a little agreeably surprised by his thanking me for
covering him up.

"You have a stronger head than mine," said he. "The punch used you well.
You made me laugh, though. You was very diverting."

"Ay, much too diverting to please myself," said I; and I sounded him
cautiously to remark what his memory carried of my insults, but found
that he recollected nothing more than that I danced with vigour, and
sang well.

I said nothing about my contrition, my going on deck, and the like,
contenting myself with asking if he had heard the explosion in the
night.

"No," cried he, staring and looking eagerly.

"Well, then," said I, "there has happened a mighty crack in the ice, and
I do soberly believe that with the blessing of God we shall be able by
blasts of powder to free the block on which the schooner rests."

"Good!" cried he; "come, let us hurry with this meal. How is the
weather?"

"Quiet, I believe. I have not been on deck since the explosion aroused
me early this morning."

Whilst we ate he said, "Suppose we get the schooner afloat, what do you
propose?"

"Why," I answered, "if she prove tight and seaworthy, what but carry her
home?"

"What, you and I alone?"

"No," said I, "certainly not; we must make shift to sail her to the
nearest port, and ship a crew."

He looked at me attentively, and said, "What do you mean by home?"

"England," said I.

He shrugged his shoulders and exclaimed in French, "'Tis natural." Then
proceeding in English, "Pray," said he, showing his fangs, "do not you
know that the _Boca del Dragon_ is a pirate? Do you want to be hanged
that you propose to carry her to a port to ship men?"

"I have no fear of that," said I; "after all th