This was at ten in the morning.

The riding-sail was down and the main- and top-sail were up by noon, and dories came alongside with letters for home, envying their good fortune.

At last she cleared decks, hoisted her flag,--as is the right of the first boat off the Banks,--up-anchored, and began to move.

Disko pretended that he wished to accommodate folk who had not sent in their mail, and so worked her gracefully in and out among the schooners.

In reality, that was his little triumphant procession, and for the fifth year running it showed what kind of mariner he was.