and that had
often caused his arm to ache in being made to advance a few inches; but
here he saw circular steel-discs with fangs more than an inch long,
which became invisible when in a state of revolution.

"What _is_ that?" said Mrs Marrot concentrating herself on one of these
implements, after having indulged in a stare of bewildered curiosity
round the long shed.

"That's a circular saw," replied Will Garvie; "one of the large ones,--
about four feet in diameter."

"A saw!" exclaimed Mrs Marrot, in surprise. "W'y, Will, it's round.
How can a round thing saw? An' it han't got no 'andle! How could any
man lay 'old of it to saw?"

"The carpenter here don't require no handles," replied Will. "He's a
queer fellow is the carpenter of this shop, as well as powerful. He
works away from morning till night with the power of more than a hundred
horses, an' does exactly what he's bid without ever making any mistakes
or axin' any questions. He's a steam-carpenter, Missis, but indeed he's
a jack-of-all-trades, and carries 'em on all at the same time. See,
they're goin' to set him to work now--watch and you shall see."

As he spoke, two men approached the circular saw bearing a thick log of
oak. One of them fitted it in position, on rollers, with its edge
towards the saw; then he seized a handle, by means of which he connected
the steam-carpenter with the saw, which instantly revolved so fast that
the teeth became invisible; at the same time the plank advanced rapidly
and met the saw. Instantly there was a loud hissing yet ringing sound,
accompanied by a shower of sawdust, and, long before Mrs Marrot had
recovered from her surprise, the log was cut into two thick substantial
planks.

After two or three more had been cut up in this way in as many minutes,
Will Garvie said--

"Now, let's see what they do with these planks. Come here."

He led them to a place close beside the saw, where there was a strong
iron machine, to one part of which was attached a very large chisel--it
might have been equal to two or three dozen of the largest ordinary
chisels rolled into one. This machine was in motion, but apparently it
had been made for a very useless purpose, for it was going vigorously up
and down at the time cutting the atmosphere!

"It's like a lot of people as I knows of," observed Mrs Marrot, "very
busy about nothin'."

"It'll have somethin' to do soon, mother," said Bob, who was already
beginning to think hims