Under the Peak of Darien the fleet broke up.
There were more shouts of “Goodbye,” “Remember the Alliance,” and “Come again next year.” “Three cheers for Wild Cat Island,” shouted John. They all cheered. “Three cheers for the Swallows,” shouted Nancy. “And for the Amazons,” they shouted back. John hauled his wind and stood in for the Holly Howe boathouse. Amazon held on her course. She was soon out of sight beyond the further point of the bay.
“I wish it wasn’t over,” said Roger.
“No more pemmican, anyway,” said Susan.
“What about singing ‘ Salt Beef ’?” said Titty. So they sang:
“Salt beef, salt beef, is our relief, Salt beef and biscuit bread O! Salt beef, salt beef, is our relief, Salt beef and biscuit bread O! While you on shore and a great many more On dainty dishes fed O! Don’t forget your old shipmate, Fol-de-rol-de-riddle, Fol-de-ri-do!”
“Susan is the old shipmate,” said Roger.
“We all are,” said John.
“What’s the song they sing at the end of the voyage?” said Susan.
Titty began, and the others joined in at once, for they all knew it:
“Oh, soon we’ll hear the Old Man say, Leave her, Johnny, leave her. You can go ashore and take your pay, It’s time for us to leave her. Leave her, Johnny, leave her like a man, Leave her, Johnny, leave her. Oh leave her, Johnny, leave her when you can, It’s time for us to leave her.”