“Praised be to all the saints!” piously ejaculated Judith.
“Praise be to the merciful lord of heaven and earth!” said Britomarte, reverently.
Justin lifted his hat and said “Amen.”
And then all three hurried down to the beach by the cove to look for the ship.
She was coming very fast. She was entering the cove! They could see her colors well with the naked eye. When she had got a little into the cove, where the water was smooth, she dropped anchor and let down a boat, which was soon manned by an officer in the naval uniform of the United States. A flagstaff, bearing the Stars and Stripes, was planted in the stern. And the oarsmen pulled stoutly for the beach.
As the boats neared them, Justin raised his hat to salute the colors. Britomarte waved her handkerchief; Judith followed suit, and all three simultaneously cried out:
“Hail! hail! hail! to the flag!”
Their salutation was answered from the boat. The men rested on their oars a moment, while they raised their hats and shouted:
“Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!” three times three. And then they pulled faster than ever for the shore.
The excitement of our party verged upon the madness of joy.