THE BATTALION.
9
A SUNSET ON THE SEA.
C. G. H,
A sunset on the sea is the most beautiful spectacle
on earth. Artists can’t paint, and poets haven’t the
words to describe its beauty.
We had been sailing along the eastern coast of Florida
lor about a week, and had seen the sun sink every evening
in its western bed of gold. There was one evening that it
was particularly beautiful. Ten-thousand rays of the most
gorgeous colors—gold, blue, purple, pink—shot into the
heavens; clouds of every color, size and shape floated about
in the sky. The sea was like a rippling body of melted gold.
In the east were great thunder heads scattered here and
there. Some stood cut with the dignity of a king, and others
like humble serfs. At first sight they resembled nothing, but
on looking more closely I couldsee outlines of different objects.
I noticed one in particular. It was the largest of them all and
stood out with the dignity of a Roman God. I looked and
looked till the cloud began to take on form. At first 1 could
dimly see the outline of a man; gradually he came into full
view. On his head was a large crown, about his body he
wore a long white robe; in his left hand was an open book, in
the other he held a shepherd’s staff. To the right, to the left,
to the back floated clouds of the most delicate hue Suddenly
agentle breeze shattered my vision into a thousand little drifts.
I was drawn back to earth by sweet strains of music. The