He passed the glasses to Arthur, who also took a look, and then drew a deep breath.

Harry handed the glasses back to Shepard, saying: "I see the ship, and I've no doubt that it's the Star of the West.
Do you know anything about this vessel, Mr.Shepard ?" "I've heard that she's only a small steamer, totally unfitted for offense or defense." "If the batteries fire upon her she's bound to go back." "You put it right." "Then, in effect, this is a test, and it rests with us whether or not to fire the first shot." "I think you're right again." Others also saw the growing black plume of smoke rising from the steamer's funnel, and a deep thrilling murmur ran through the crowd gathered on the sea walls.

To many the vessel, steaming toward the harbor, was foreign, carrying a foreign flag, but to many others it was not and could never be so.
Shepard passed the glasses to the boy again, and he looked a second time at the ship, which was now taking shape and rising fast upon the water.
Then he examined the walls of Sumter and saw men in blue moving there.
They, too, were watching the coming steamer with the deepest anxiety.
Arthur took his second look also, and Shepard watched through the glasses a little longer.

Then he put them in the case which he hung over his shoulder.

Glasses were no longer needed.