Then, as it seemed to me, in a moment, the sun was up and as if by magic the shield had changed into a coast fringed with palms and swelling upwards in green and gradual slopes to a chain of mighty hills.

Around these some light, fleecy clouds had gathered, but sea and coast were radiant with summer.

So clear was the air that I could distinguish the red sand of the beaches and the white trunks of the palms that crowded to the shore; and then before us arose Colombo, its white houses gleaming out one by one.
"The sun was high by the time our pilot came on board, and as we entered the harbour the town lay deep in the stillness of the afternoon.

We had cast anchor, and I was reflecting on my next course of action when I heard my name called from under the ship's side.

Looking down, I spied a tall, grave gentleman seated in a boat.