In full vision of the men in the trenches fluttered the flag of Spain; above their heads Old Glory flew,—the sheltering Stripes and Stars.
As night came down, and land and shimmering sea was bathed in the white light of the sub-tropics, the strains of the “Star-Spangled Banner” were borne upon the air and fell away softly, as if coming from across the water. Every man uncovered and stood with silent lips, and eyes fixed upon Old Glory until the last echoing note died in the distance, then turned again to duties; but upon his face was stamped the deeper understanding of the meaning of it all—of Flag, and Home, and Country.
Every man uncovered and stood with silent lips, and eyes fixed on Old Glory.
Thus from the shores of a tropic island, fighting together for the flag of the nation, both Blue and Gray gained a new and happier viewpoint; and looking back across the warm and shining waters of the Gulf Stream, each knew that all was good, and said:—
“Lo! from the thunder-strife,
And from the blown, white ashes of the dead,
We rise to larger life.”
“There is a peace amid’st the shock of arms,
That satisfies the soul, though all the air
Hurtles with horror and with rude alarms.”
“That clarion cry, My country! makes men one.”