human
And now, sir, I suppose he'll get higher and higher every day, put in Stephen,
gpt
Not exactly that at noon; though abeam, as it might be, mornings and evenings.
human
Still, the coldest of our weather is yet to come, or I have no exper'ence in such things. Why does not the heat come back with the sun--or what seems to be the sun coming back? though, as you tell me, Captain Gar'ner, it's only the 'arth sheering this-a-way and that-a-way in her course.
gpt
One may well ask such a question--but cold produces cold, and it takes time to wear it out. February is commonly the coldest month in the year, even in America; though days any one in February. March, and even April, are months I dread here; and that so much the more, Stephen, because our fuel goes a good deal faster than I could wish.
human
What you say is very true, sir. Still, the people must have fire. I turned out this morning, while all hands were still in their berths, and looked to the stove, and it was as much as human natur' could bear to be about without my cap and skin-covering; though in-doors the whole time. If the weather goes on as it has begun, we shall have to keep a watch at the stove; nor do I think one stove will answer us much longer. We shall want another in the sleeping-room.
gpt
Heaven knows where the wood is to come from! Unless Captain Daggett gives up the wreck, we shall certainly be out long before the mild season returns.
human
We must keep ourselves warm, sir, by reading the bible, answered Stimson, smiling; though the glance he cast at his officer was earnest and anxious.
gpt
You must not forget, Captain Gar'ner, that you've promised one who is praying for you daily, to go through the chapters she has marked, and give the matter a patient and attentive thought. No sealin', sir, can be half as important as this reading of the good book in the right spirit.
human
So you believe that Jesus was the Son of God!
gpt
As much as I believe that we are here, sir. I wish I was half as certain of our ever getting away.
human
What has caused you to believe this, Stimson?--reason, or the talk of your mother and of the parson?
gpt
My mother died afore I could listen to her talk, sir: and very little have I had to do with parsons, for the want of being where they are to be found. _Faith_ tells me to believe this; and Faith comes from God.
human
And I could believe it, too, were Faith imparted to me from the same source. As it is, I fear I shall never believe in what appears to me to be an impossibility.