The night was fine, as it always is in these happy climes.

The moon, rising behind the rocks, unrolled a silver sheet on the cerulean carpet of the sea.

In the roadsteads maneuvered silently the vessels which had just taken their rank to facilitate the embarkation.

The sea, loaded with phosphoric light, opened beneath the hulls of the barks that transported the baggage and munitions; every dip of the prow plowed up this gulf of white flames; from every oar dropped liquid diamonds.

The sailors, rejoicing in the largesses of the admiral, were heard murmuring their slow and artless songs.