And on rushed the whalers, every man doing his most.
It was likely, after all, to be a win for Walter, when, unluckily, his boat touched a bit of green ice, which caused a man to catch a crab, and, with a loud cheer from those on board, Charlie dashed madly past, and won by a length.
Then cheers, loud and long, rose from the rigging, with many a mighty hurrah, and when Charlie scrambled in-board, he was hoisted and carried three times round the deck shoulder high, the men singing merrily.
Then the boats were hoisted, with the dogs still in them, and they soon joined the merriment, you may be sure.
But everybody seemed happier for what was called their spin on shore.
* * * * *
Shortly after this more sail was set, and the vessel headed away for the west, tack and half-tack, for the wind was not yet fair.
That same afternoon they rounded Cape Anne.
This point of rocky land juts far into the sea here. It is a wonderful sight in summer when the black rocks stand out and the higher cliffs are still covered with purest snow.
But what a world of life was here—in the sea, on the cliffs and shore, where cities of countless, I may say myriads, of birds were built.