THE GREAT STEAMER BACKED OUT INTO THE RIVER.—Page [21].
Alice was rather frightened, and thought they certainly would run into some of them.
Many of the passengers were still waving to their friends, who were also waving to them from the dock as long as they could distinguish it at all.
Very soon they could see the famous statue of the Goddess of Liberty, that holds its light so high in the air; then lovely Staten Island, with its green hills and fine houses.
The two forts, Hamilton and Wordsworth, which guard the entrance to the harbor, were soon left behind, and on the left could be seen Coney Island, with its large hotels and elephant and high elevator.
Suddenly, as they were looking at the largest hotel of all, the one at Rockaway Beach, the steamer stopped. Alice, rather startled, said,—
"Oh, dear! what is the matter?"
"They are going to drop the pilot," said her papa.
"Where?" said Alice. "In the water?"