In The Grey Of The Morning, One Or Two Small Fishing Smacks Peered
Out Of The Mist; And When The
Broad day broke upon us, there lay the
low sand-hills of Cape Cod, over our larboard quarter, and before
Us,
the wide waters of Massachusetts Bay, with here and there a sail
gliding over its smooth surface. As we drew in toward the mouth
of the harbor, as toward a focus, the vessels began to multiply
until the bay seemed actually alive with sails gliding about in
every direction; some on the wind, and others before it, as they
were bound to or from the emporium of trade and centre of the bay.
It was a stirring sight for us, who had been months on the ocean
without seeing anything but two solitary sails; and over two years
without seeing more than the three or four traders on an almost
desolate coast. There were the little coasters, bound to and
from the various towns along the south shore, down in the bight
of the bay, and to the eastward; here and there a square-rigged
vessel standing out to seaward; and, far in the distance,
beyond Cape Ann, was the smoke of a steamer, stretching along in
a narrow, black cloud upon the water. Every sight was full of
beauty and interest. We were coming back to our homes; and the
signs of civilization, and prosperity, and happiness, from which
we had been so long banished, were multiplying about us.
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