"There is no such nation!" said the boy, drawing himself up.
"But Young America can suppose, for the argument's sake," said Mr. Wayne, smiling.
"Hard thing to do, sir," laughed Magnus. "However, I'll suppose, as you say. And I say, the man would come down, a long sight ahead of the Stars and Stripes. I'd risk offending anybody, for the flag."
Mr. Wayne paused and faced him.
"Magnus," he said, "I have just three words for you at West Point. Work, pray, and keep your colours flying! Good-bye; the doors are open."
So they parted, and soon the cry was, "All aboard!" and the train moved slowly out of the Grand Central.
V
THE FLAG
What is that which the breeze o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam
Of the morning's first beam;
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream. —Francis Key.
It is not a particularly interesting bit of road at first, as you leave the great city, going north. The tunnel, the gleams and glooms in the long passage under ever-arching streets; and whatever the Harlem end of New York may have been, it is not delightsome to look upon now.