As this illumination
flashed out the American band struck up the British national anthem,
and the outline lights appeared again.
"That," said the captain, "is the British man-o'-war's flag."
The "Whip-poor-will" speedily whisked the party and others across the
sparkling waters to the foot of the grand stairway which had been
specially constructed to conduct the elect from the tide to the deck.
It was more than double as broad as the ordinary gangway, was carpeted
from top to bottom, and on every step stood a blue-jacket, each as
steady as if cast in bronze, the line forming, as one might say, a
living handrail rising toward the dark sky.
Captain Kempt and his wife went first, followed by Sabina and her
young man with the two girls in their wake.
"Aren't those men splendid?" whispered Katherine to her friend. "I
wish each held an old-fashioned torch. I do love a sailor."
"So do I," said Dorothy, then checked herself, and laughed a little.
"I guess we all do," sighed Katherine.
On deck the bluff captain of the "Consternation," in resplendent
uniform, stood beside Lady Angela Burford of the British Embassy at
Washington, to receive the guests of the cruiser. Behind these two
were grouped an assemblage of officers and very fashionably dressed
women, chatting vivaciously with each other. As Dorothy looked at the
princess-like Lady Angela it seemed as if she knew her; as if here
were one who had stepped out of an English romance.
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