The largest number our boat could hold was from eleven to twelve persons.

Then eleven of us, indicated by lot, would have to remain on this island of ice.

And what would become of them?
With regard to this Hurliguerly made a sound observation.
"After all," he said, "I don't know that those who would embark would be better off than those who remained! I am so doubtful of the result, that I would willingly give up my place to anyone who wanted it." Perhaps the boatswain was right.

But in my own mind, when I asked that the boat might be utilized, it was only for the purpose of reconnoitring the iceberg.
We finally decided to arrange everything with a view to wintering out, even were our ice-mountain again to drift.
"We may be sure that will be agreed to by our men," declared Hurliguerly.
"What is necessary must be done," replied the mate, "and to-day we must set to work." That was a sad day on which we began our preparations.
Endicott, the cook, was the only man who submitted without murmuring.

As a negro, who cares little about the future, shallow and frivolous like all his race, he resigned himself easily to his fate; and this is, perhaps, true philosophy.