While we stood admiring the cloud-capped peaks and the lowlands robed in
misty gloom, a finer picture burst upon us and chained every eye like a
magnet—a stately ship, with canvas piled on canvas till she was one
towering mass of bellying sail. She came speeding over the sea like a
great bird. Africa and Spain were forgotten. All homage was for the
beautiful stranger. While everybody gazed, she swept superbly by and
flung the Stars and Stripes to the breeze! Quicker than thought hats and
handkerchiefs flashed in the air, and a cheer went up! She was beautiful
before—she was radiant now. Many a one on her decks knew then for the
first time how tame a sight his country’s flag is at home compared with
what it is in a foreign land. To see it is to see a vision of home
itself and all its idols, and feel a thrill that would stir a very river
of sluggish blood!