ulkheads and that, while we
had weather chances. _Titan_ has been out at her since yesterday
morning. . . . It looks good and healthy now." He cast an eye around
appreciatively at the calm sea and quiet sky, the gorse-banked cliffs
dimmed by a promising summer haze, at seagulls lazily drifting on the
tide or becking and bowing in the glassy ripples of our wash. "Good and
healthy; I like to see these old 'shellbacks' sitting low and not
shrilling overhead with all sail set. . . . If this weather holds I
shouldn't wonder if we get the old bus afloat on high tide to-day!"

Clear of harbour limits and heading out to the shoals, a brisk rigging
of gear and tackle brings action to the decks of the salvage steamer.
Already we had thought the narrow confines from bulwark to bulwark
congested by the bulk of appliances, but, from hole and corner and
cunning stowage, further coils and shoots and lengths of flexible,
armoured hose are dragged and placed in readiness for operations.
Derricks are topped up and purchases rove for handling the heavy
twelve-inch motor-pumps. Hawsers are uncovered and coiled clear, stout
fenders thrown over in preparation for a grind alongside the wreck.
Mindful of possibilities, the engineer-lieutenant and his artificers go
over the insulation of their power leads in minute search for a leak in
the cables that may occasion a short circuit later on. The terminals and
couplings are buffed and polished with what seems exaggerated and
needless precision--but this is salvage, where sustained effort is only
possible in the rare and all-too-brief union of favourable tide and
weather conditions. A cessation of the steady throw of the pumps,
however instant and skilful the adjustment, may mean the loss of just
that finite measure in buoyancy that could spring the weight of
thousands in tons. Second chances are rarely given by a grudging and
jealous sea; there must be no hitch in the gear, no halt in weighing the
mass.

A drift of lazy smoke on the sea-rim ahead marks our rendezvous, where
_Titan_ and a sisterly tug-boat are already at work on the wreck. A
screen of motor-patrols are rounding and lining out in the offing, with
a thrust of white foam astern that shows their speed. Coastwise, a
convoy of merchant ships zigzag in confusing angles on their way to sea,
guarded by spurring destroyers and trawler escort. Seaplanes are out,
hawking with swoop and wheel for sight of strange fish. The seascape is
busy wi