CHAPTER XXI.
Clearing for home--In the calm belt--A sea covered with sargasso--The jibstay parts in a gale--Welcomed by a tornado off Fire Island--A change of plan--Arrival at Newport--End of a cruise of over forty-six thousand miles--The _Spray_ again at Fairhaven.
On the 4th of June, 1898, the _Spray_ cleared from the United States consulate, and her license to sail single-handed, even round the world, was returned to her for the last time.

The United States consul, Mr.Hunt, before handing the paper to me, wrote on it, as General Roberts had done at Cape Town, a short commentary on the voyage.

The document, by regular course, is now lodged in the Treasury Department at Washington, D.C.
On June 5, 1898, the _Spray_ sailed for a home port, heading first direct for Cape Hatteras.

On the 8th of June she passed under the sun from south to north; the sun's declination on that day was 22 degrees 54', and the latitude of the _Spray_ was the same just before noon.
Many think it is excessively hot right under the sun.

It is not necessarily so.