Gratian got out after him, while Francis kept the boat fast by the chain.

The two crept along the ice until they reached the corpse, then drew it to them by the arms and legs and so got it into the boat.

A few strokes of the oars and the boatswain had rejoined the schooner.

The corpse, completely frozen, having been laid at the foot of the mizen mast, Captain Len Guy approached and examined it long and closely, as though he sought to recognize it.
It was the corpse of a sailor, dressed in coarse stuff, woollen trousers and a patched jersey; a belt encircled his waist twice.

His death had evidently occurred some months previously, probably very soon after the unfortunate man had been carried away by the drift.
He was about forty, with slightly grizzled hair, a mere skeleton covered with skin.