As the boys looked up to the great dome, Harlan asked:
"What makes the dome sparkle so in the sunshine?"
"That's because of the hundreds of pearl shells that are stuck into the cement covering," replied Vasco.
"Do you know," continued Vasco, "that this great building was put up nearly one hundred and fifty years ago?"
"Yes," replied Harlan, "and I have heard that its builder was the first coloured bishop of this city."
"That is true," said Vasco, "and he was the son of a poor man who burned charcoal and then sold it from his back through the streets of Panama. The son was very kind to the poor people, and was noted for his charity."
"Yes," added one of Vasco's soldier acquaintances who stood near and overheard the talk, "and this cathedral is really a monument to the useful life of the bishop."
Further conversation was interrupted by the music of a brass band in the distance. The boys looked down the street by which the soldiers were to come to the plaza. In the distance they soon saw the uniforms of the officers followed by the long white lines of the soldiers.
Vasco's enthusiasm knew no bounds as the battalion wheeled into the plaza and passed by the cathedral with salutes for the onlookers. When he finally spied his father, Lieutenant Barretas, marching at the head of his company, Vasco was delirious with joy. To his mind, not even the general in command looked finer than did the little lieutenant—his father!