On either side the path that led to the gate stood two tall flagstaffs.

They were reared on artificial mounds of earth that were ten feet high.

The base of each staff was surrounded by short posts, painted white and connected by heavy chains.
The staffs themselves were like ships' masts, with topmasts spliced on in true nautical fashion, with shrouds, ratlines, gaffs, and flag-halyards.
From the gaff of one, two gay flags hung limply, one a checkerboard of blue and white squares, the other a white pennant centred with a red disc.

It was the international code signal of distress.
On the far corner of the compound fence a hawk brooded.

The man watched it, and knew that it was sick.