The day was perfect, the sunlight clear and strong.

Every particle of water thrown into the air became a gem, and the _Spray,_ bounding ahead, snatched necklace after necklace from the sea, and as often threw them away.

We have all seen miniature rainbows about a ship's prow, but the _Spray_ flung out a bow of her own that day, such as I had never seen before.
Her good angel had embarked on the voyage; I so read it in the sea.
Bold Nahant was soon abeam, then Marblehead was put astern.

Other vessels were outward bound, but none of them passed the _Spray_ flying along on her course.

I heard the clanking of the dismal bell on Norman's Woe as we went by; and the reef where the schooner _Hesperus_ struck I passed close aboard.