They "recognized" the _Spray_ as belonging to "a club of her own," and with more Australian sentiment than fastidiousness gave her credit for her record.
Time flew fast those days in Australia, and it was December 6,1896, when the _Spray_ sailed from Sydney.

My intention was now to sail around Cape Leeuwin direct for Mauritius on my way home, and so I coasted along toward Bass Strait in that direction.
There was little to report on this part of the voyage, except changeable winds, "busters," and rough seas.

The 12th of December, however, was an exceptional day, with a fine coast wind, northeast.
The _Spray_ early in the morning passed Twofold Bay and later Cape Bundooro in a smooth sea with land close aboard.

The lighthouse on the cape dipped a flag to the _Spray's_ flag, and children on the balconies of a cottage near the shore waved handkerchiefs as she passed by.

There were only a few people all told on the shore, but the scene was a happy one.