64 LITERARY PILGRIMAGES 



does and go headforemost with open eyes into the 

 depths, you will see none of this color. There 

 with all the influences of reflection and refraction 

 eliminated you find yourself moving through an 

 infinitely soft blue that is semi-opaque merely 

 because a million generations of use has fitted 

 the human eye for seeing details through air 

 only. Yet the perception of color remains. Hold 

 your breath desperately and swim as far down as 

 you may and there is no change. The color has 

 all the softness and gentle beauty of the turquoise. 

 In certain lights among the Florida Keys I have 

 seen this sweetest, gentlest of blues in the Gulf 

 Stream, but in no other water. 



To turn and look at yourself in this water is to 

 have another surprise. Already it seems as if 

 the mystic fires of its depths had begun to inform 

 you with a pure whiteness that should be akin to 

 nobility of soul, and as you step forth on the shore 

 mayhap this quality, passing subtly to the blood 

 and brain, lingers for a while, and in the clear 

 fire of renewed vitality you feel that the morn- 

 ing has indeed brought back to you the heroic 

 age. 



