Everything was done to fit her for all the known dangers.

But it was not without regret that I looked forward to the day of sailing from a country of so many pleasant associations.

If there was a moment in my voyage when I could have given it up, it was there and then; but no vacancies for a better post being open, I weighed anchor April 16,1897, and again put to sea.
The season of summer was then over; winter was rolling up from the south, with fair winds for the north.

A foretaste of winter wind sent the _Spray_ flying round Cape Howe and as far as Cape Bundooro farther along, which she passed on the following day, retracing her course northward.

This was a fine run, and boded good for the long voyage home from the antipodes.