Everyone seemed to think it would be a pleasant little excursion,
especially as the _Dolphin_ would carry them all the way to the town;
but first they must visit the fortress. They did not, however, set out
thither immediately, but remained on deck a little longer gazing about
and questioning the captain in regard to the points of interest.
"Papa," asked Grace, pointing in a southerly direction, "is that another
fort yonder?"
"Yes," he replied, "that is Fort Wool. It is a mile distant, and with
Fortress Monroe defends Hampton Roads, the Gosport navy yard, and
Norfolk."
"They both have soldiers in them?" she said inquiringly.
"Yes, daughter; both contain barracks for soldiers, and Fortress Monroe
has also an arsenal, a United States school of artillery, chapel, and,
besides the barracks for the soldiers, storehouses and other buildings,
and covers eighty acres of ground."
"And when was it finished, papa? How long did it take to build it?"
"It is not finished yet," he answered, "and has already cost nearly
three million dollars. It is an irregular hexagon--that is has six sides
and six angles--surrounded by a tide-water ditch eight feet deep at high
water.
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