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.
The high land of Cape Ann and the rocks and shore of Cohasset were
full in sight, the lighthouses, standing like sentries in white before
the harbors, and even the smoke from the chimney on the plains of
Hingham was seen rising slowly in the morning air.
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