a mile she
hoisted
her flag
as the
harbour
regulations
prescribe
for
arriving
and
departing
ships.I
saw it
suddenly
flicker
and stream
out on the
flagstaff.The
Red
Ensign!In
the
pellucid,colourless
atmosphere
bathing
the drab
and grey
masses of
that
southern
land,the
livid
islets,the
sea of
pale
glassy
blue under
the pale
glassy sky
of that
cold
sunrise,it
was as far
as the eye
could
reach the
only spot
of ardent
colour--flame-like,intense,and
presently
as minute
