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Nellie Tanner, jealous for her father's prestige, could not but

admire the splendid discipline and tactics that whipped the

Nettie about on the tack and sent her flying ahead of the Rosan

like a great seabird. Once Swallowtail was passed the voyage had

begun, and the lead belonged to any one who could take it.

At last the knifelike edge of Long Island shut them out

completely, and seemed at the same instant to cut the last bonds

and ties that had stretched from one to another as long as vision

lasted. The men felt as released from a spell. One idea rushed

into their minds suddenly and became an obsession.

Fish!

CHAPTER XIII

NAT BURNS SHOWS HIS HAND

OFF Cape Sable the fleet was overhauled by a half-dozen schooners

bound the same way, which displayed American flags at their main

trucks as they came up.

"Gloucestermen!" said Nat Burns at the wheel of the Nettie B.

"Set balloon jib and stays'l and we'll give 'em a try-out."