To crown all, seated sideways in the high, open shark's-mouth of our prow was a little dwarf of a boy, one of Media's pages, a red conch-shell, bugle-wise suspended at his side.

Among various other offices, it was the duty of little Vee-Vee to announce the advent of his master, upon drawing near to the islands in our route.

Two short bars, projecting from one side of the prow, furnished him the means of ascent to his perch.
As we gained the open lagoon with bellied sails, and paddles playing, a sheaf of foam borne upright at our prow; Yoomy, standing where the spicy spray flew over him, stretched forth his hand and cried--"The dawn of day is passed, and Mardi lies all before us: all her isles, and all her lakes; all her stores of good and evil.

Storms may come, our barks may drown.

But blow before us, all ye winds; give us a lively blast, good clarion; rally round us all our wits; and be this voyage full gayly sailed, for Yillah will yet be found.".