Chapter 23 LOADING FOR HOME-A SURPRISE-LAST OF AN OLD FRIEND-THE LAST HIDE-A HARD CASE-UP ANCHOR, FOR HOME!-HOMEWARD BOUND

We turned-in early, knowing that we might expect an early call; and sure enough, before the stars had quite faded, "All hands ahoy!" and we were turned-to, heaving out ballast. A regulation of the port forbids any ballast to be thrown overboard; accordingly, our long-boat was lined inside with rough boards and brought alongside the gangway, but whe