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Boughton was hard up for fish, for none had come from the Banks,

and bought them at a big price. But as to the signing of the

contract, he demurred. When Nat could not explain why he had

caught so few fish in such a long time, the storekeeper became

wary and refused to commit himself. Finally he agreed to the

price if Nat would deliver a thousand quintals before any of the

rest of the fleet arrived home.

Consequently it was up mainsail and sway 'em flat and a fast run

north for the Nettie B.

During his day's stay in Freekirk Head he had received a great

bag of mail for the men of the fleet from their women-folk at

home, and this he had in his cabin, now all distributed and tied

into bundles, one for each schooner, so that they could be easily

sorted and thrown aboard as he met them.