huge shops, some of them covering as much ground as a city block, the great traveling cranes, the shifting engines, and all the other vast equipment in the Navy Yard. It was like a city in itself, and it made Henry proud to think that he was an American.
Captain Hardwick informed Henry that there was some delay about the stores, and that it would require several hours at least to transship them. The Iroquois could not leave before late afternoon, and might not get away before the next day. He secured a pass for Henry and told him to look at Boston to his heart’s content, but to be sure not to get lost.
“I’ve heard that it is hard to get around in Boston,” agreed Henry.
“You’ll get lost, sure,” laughed the captain. “Everybody does.”
“Where could I get a map?” inquired Henry. “I wouldn’t get lost with a map.”
“You may have mine,” said the commander. And he got for Henry a fine little book of maps that folded between stiff covers. One of these maps was of Boston.
On his way to the gate Henry noticed numerous buildings, like the commissary stores. And there was a long row of houses, evidently for the use of officers attached to the Navy Yard, with the commandant’s house standing conspicuously