On the following morning the battleship moved slowly into the canal.
The ship's chaplain was shading his eyes, gazing off to the left, when the boys came and leaned over the rail near him.
"Lads, do you know what lies beyond, almost within sight?"
"No, sir."
"It is the Holy Land. Palestine, Damascus, Jerusalem, all are within easy reach even of the guns of this ship."
"Is it possible?"
"Yes; yonder lies Arabia with its great deserts; and there, off the port bow, is Mount Sinai. It is a wonderful country."
"Were you ever there, Padre?" questioned Sam, addressing the chaplain after the manner of all sailors.
"Yes, I once made a pilgrimage there. I wish that I might go again."
"I hear we are going to make a pilgrimage when we get to Suez," said Sam irreverently.