Your father generally wore a straw hat.

Can't you make out his face ?" "No," said Nic, taking his eye from the glass quickly, and gazing at the boat, which seemed to have suddenly gone back some distance.
"I want to look without the glass," he added, after a minute or so; and then, forgetful of the glorious panorama spread around beyond the blue lake-like harbour, he held on by the rail, gazing hard at the approaching boat, seeing neither of the others, only that one with the white jacketed men who made the water flash at each dip of the oars.
Then by degrees Nic began to make out the faces, which grew clearer and clearer, till the figure wearing the straw hat rose up and waved it, and the officer in uniform rose up then and took off his hat.
At that moment Nic was conscious of the fact that Lady O'Hara was close by him, waving a white handkerchief.
Then he seemed to see nothing but a blurred picture of boats drawing nearer, as the great _Northumbrian_, with her sails hanging almost motionless, glided slowly onward through the calm water.
He was conscious, though, of the gangway being manned, and of a guard of soldiers being drawn up to receive the governor, the officers and the captain and mates being ready too.
At last the boat came close in alongside; a sharp order was shouted, the guard presented arms, and a big burly grey officer stepped easily on board, raised his hat to the officers, and then took Lady O'Hara's hands in his, gazed at her for a moment, and then quietly drew her arm through his, while she drew a deep, long breath, and stood there proud and happy.
Nic just saw her, but only as it were out of the corner of his eye, for he was tremblingly watching the gangway for the next comer--a tall, spare, grey, aquiline-looking man with face of a warm sun tan, and eyes that seemed to pierce the boy through and through, as he held out his hand and cried "Father!" "Yes, my boy.

Then you knew me again?
Why, Nic, lad, what a great fellow you have grown! Lady O'Hara, welcome back." "And glad to be back," cried the lady, shaking hands, and after a glance at Nic, asking the question hovering on his lips, "And how are they at the Bluff ?" "All well, and send loving greetings." "Which I'll answer for myself, and very soon," cried the lady.
"And all well ?" said the governor, with a look round as if addressing every one.
Lady O'Hara answered.
"Yes, all well.

An excellent voyage, and you'll thank the officers for their kindness to me and Dominic Braydon here.

Gentlemen, I am going ashore in the boat, but I shall not say good-bye.